"Mr. Campbell can forgive," said Mrs. Meridith, feeling much at his distress.
"Not me, not me," replied he, "I cannot forgive myself."
The farmer stood in silent astonishment, while Anna took his hand, and with an imploring look said, "my father is not what he was, my dear uncle, he is sensible of his faults; can you desire more?"
"No, my child, I am not appointed his judge, or his punisher; his crimes have been their own punishment, I doubt not;" here a sigh, or rather groan, from the poor man, witnessed the truth of his remark.
"Let me then join your hands," said Anna, with emotion, and drawing them towards each other; "my dear uncle, you have supplied the place of a father to me, and now my father thanks you."
"On my knees I do!" said Eastwood; "may your kindness meet with its due reward."
"And are you indeed an altered man?" replied Campbell, overcome by his contrition, "then to my heart I can receive you; and let all that is past be forgotten."
"Unless my future conduct should remind you of it," said Eastwood, "and then banish me from your society for ever."