"Hilda, don't—I, too, am alone. Believe me, I forgive you if it is my forgiveness you would have. You have been wrong; but I was wrong, I think, in the beginning, too—towards Gerald. I ought to have left things to take their chance. But what I did, I did to save him. For that I was punished. God knows what I have suffered. But, come now, even though you are alone, you have your father and mother——"
"My father and mother! Don't name them to me. I hate them. To them I owe the whole failure of my life. They had no right to bring children into the world, and allow them to grow up weeds. I wish never to see either of them again. No, I am going back to Italy. I shall find some niche to fill there I suppose. But I could not stay here. All I wanted was to know that you forgave me. You have been so good, Miriam, and if you forgive me, I can bear the rest. And, Miriam——"
"Yes, Hilda."
"You will marry John Dundas? Don't be angry with me, but if you are happy, I should feel my life was easier. John is good, Miriam, he is one of the best of men—I never deserved him. You do. Let me feel that you won't—that the past won't stand in your way. He deserves to be happy."
"He has been very good to me, Hilda, very kind. I know what you must feel. Let us both try and forget."
"Say again that you forgive me, Miriam."
"Freely, Hilda. I forgive."
"Good bye. You will write and tell me—any news?"
"I will write, Hilda; good-bye."
As she left the room Miriam could bear up no longer. She threw herself on the sofa, and cried as if her heart would break.