"My dear, we all make them," Merefleet said with grave kindliness.
"I know," she faltered. "I know. But mine was a real bad one."
"Never mind, child!" he said tenderly. "Why should you tell me?"
She threw a swift look into his face. She was trembling violently.
"Big Bear," she cried with sudden vehemence, "you don't understand."
He knelt down beside her and put his arm about her.
"Listen to me, my darling," he said, and she shrank at the deep thrill in his voice. "To me you are all that is beautiful and good and holy. I do not want to know what lies behind you. I know you have had trouble. But it is over. You may have made mistakes. But they are over, too. Tell me nothing! Leave the past alone! Only give me your present and your future. I shall be quite content."
He paused. She was shivering within his encircling arm. He could hear her breath coming and going very quickly.
"You love me, darling," he said. "And is it necessary for me to tell you that I worship you as no one ever has worshipped you before?"
He paused again. But Mab did not speak. The beautiful face was working painfully. Her hands were tightly clasped in his.