“Yes! robbed you of! You know what I mean. How much have you lost? A thousand pounds—ten thousand?”
“Anna, you think I have been gambling?”
“What else can I think, Dick? It breaks my heart to think it, though.”
“Anna, dearest,” said Dick, taking her hands from his shoulder and holding them in his own, while he sought her eyes, “Anna, did I not promise you before we were married, that after I should become your husband I would never touch cards or dice again? Answer me, Anna.”
“Yes, Dick, you did, dear.”
“And—bad as I was, at my very worst, did you ever know me to break my pledged word?”
“No indeed, I never did, dear.”
“And do you think I would begin by breaking it to my wife?” he asked, gazing sadly into her eyes.
“Oh, Dick, Dick, my darling, I beg your pardon! I do indeed!” she said, throwing her arms around him and kissing him with such an effusion of affection that it must have consoled him for her momentary injustice. “Oh, Dick, forgive me, love!”
“All right, Anna,” he said, smiling and returning her caresses with interest. “I cannot blame you for doubting and fearing for me, until time shall prove how steadfastly I shall keep my pledge to you. I only wish it could be otherwise with you, and that for your own peace you could have full faith in me; but I know that this cannot be so, for it must be a part of my punishment for past follies still to inspire doubt of my future conduct.” He spoke gravely and sadly, and the tears rushed to Anna’s eyes as she answered him: