"My poor child! Could I have the heart to be angry with you?"
"Ah! that is right. You were always kind, Robin. I shouldn't have liked you to be unkind now. You must win me your mother's forgiveness."
"She will come round in time."
He had an idea his mother would take it badly. But, of course, she would have to come round. The whole bad business had been her fault in a way; and if she was hard on Nelly, he felt like telling her so.
"I am glad to think I have done you no great harm, Robin. Indeed, the harm would have been in marrying you. I have realised for some time that I was not essential to your happiness."
He opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again. He was not a diplomatist.
"I am very fond of you, Nelly," he said, after a pause.
"Yes, I know you are. So am I fond of you. It was not enough, of course; I ought to have known better."
"And I. I can't forgive myself, Nell, for having been in a way the cause of the mischief. Take courage, dear. All may yet be well. God knows what happiness is in store for you."
"God knows," she echoed; but there was no assurance in her tone.