“You must pardon pride in a ruined man,” he answered. “Now that I am starting to-morrow, I do not feel the same dread of being misunderstood!”
“It was not kind of you, George. Knowing yourself fit to be trusted, why did you not think me capable of trusting?”
“But, Alexa!—a man's own father!”
For a moment he showed signs of an emotion he had seldom had to repress.
“I beg your pardon, George!” cried Alexa. “I am both stupid and selfish! Are you really going so far?”
Her voice trembled.
“I am—but to return, I hope, in a very different position!”
“You would have me understand—”
“That I shall then be able to hold up my head.”
“Why should an innocent man ever do otherwise?”