"But he will never come back. He will never ask us to forgive him, or even wish it. He has no heart."
"He has longed for money till the Devil has hardened his heart," said Alice.
"And yet how tender he could be in his manner when he chose it;—how soft he could make his words and his looks! Do you remember how he behaved to us in Switzerland? Do you remember that balcony at Basle, and the night we sat there, when the boys were swimming down the river?"
"Yes;—I remember."
"So do I! So do I! Alice, I would give all I have in the world, if I could recall that journey to Switzerland."
"If you mean for my sake, Kate—"
"I do mean for your sake. It made no difference to me. Whether I stayed in Westmoreland or went abroad, I must have found out that my god was made of bricks and clay instead of gold. But there was no need for you to be crushed in the ruins."
"I am not crushed, Kate!"
"Of course, you are too proud to own it?"
"If you mean about Mr. Grey, that would have happened just the same, whether I had gone abroad or remained at home."