“No; take no notice. I cannot bear to be pitied. I will not be pitied; as this was my own act. But it is hard—”
“It is hard: but you have only to pass one other threshold courageously, and then you are free indeed. Man cannot harm you there.”
“But, to-day, of all seasons—”
“It is hard: but you have done with captivity. No more captivity! My dear Lady Carse, what remains! What is it you would have? You would not wish for vengeance! No! it is pain!—you are in pain. Shall I raise you?”
“No, no: never mind the pain! But I did hope to see my husband again.”
“To forgive him. You mean, to forgive him?”
“No: I meant—”
“But you mean it now? He had something to pardon in you.”
“True. But I cannot— Do not ask me.”
“Then you hope that God will. I may tell him that you hope that God will forgive him.”