"As you please," said he, in a gentle voice. He was resolved to win her back to him, in candor and love.
"Will you speak first, or shall I?" he asked, after a pause.
His voice was clear and distinct, and startled her. She observed his fresh appearance, and grew still paler. She pressed her hand to her heart; she could not speak.
"Well, then let me speak. Mathilde, we won each other in sincere love. I frankly confess that I have sinned deeply against you and others, and now I beg you to believe in my sincere repentance. Don't judge me meanly, or in a narrow sense!"
"Not meanly? O yes, I understand! To great minds like yourself, morality is narrow-mindedness. Yours are the large, the world-embracing hearts, and I am a bigoted, self-opinionated creature!"
"Mathilde, don't say that; I didn't mean to wound you."
"Oh no! you didn't mean to wound me; certainly not, never!"
"Mathilde, with that tone we shall never arrive at perfect harmony. Ask anything of me, as a proof of my repentance and conversion. You have the right to do so; I swear to you--"
"Don't swear. I pity you,--there's nothing left by which you can swear. Swear by the head of your child--the child at whose cradle you exchanged adulterous words and glances with her!"
"Let the future efface all recollection of the past!"