"Do you know the necessity of self-sacrifice?"
"But how can I sacrifice what is best in me without lowering myself? Is it a virtue in a woman to throw away what she holds to be as highest?"
"Remember," he said, returning to the point, "that, if you forgive him, you become changed yourself. You no longer see what he has done as you see it now. That is the beauty of forgiveness: it enables us better to understand those whom we have forgiven. Perhaps it will enable you to put yourself in his place."
She put her hands to her eyes with a shudder: "You do not know what you are saying," she cried, and rose.
"Then trust it all to time," he said finally, "that is best! Time alone solves so much. Wait! Do not act! Think and feel as little as possible. Give time its merciful chance. I'll come to see you."
They had moved toward the door. She drew off her glove which she was putting on and laid her hand once more in his.
"Time can change nothing. I have decided."
As she was going down the steps to the carriage, she turned and came back.
"Do not come to see me! I shall come to you to say good-by. It is better for you not to come to the house just now. I might not be able to see you."
Isabel had the carriage driven to the Osborns'.