"Please, ma'am,—please, ma'am!" said she, in a tone that left no doubt as to her meaning.
"Wait, William," weakly commanded Mrs. De Peyster.
William paused.
Mrs. De Peyster did not yet know what she was doing; her words spoke themselves.
"William, Matilda has—has just confessed your engagement. She has also confessed how, during my—my absence—one night, after driving with you, she—she lost control of herself and seriously offended you. She asks me to apologize to you and tell you how very, very sorry she is."
"Indeed, I am, William!" put in Matilda fervently.
"It is my wish, William," continued Mrs. De Peyster, "that you should forgive her—and make up things between you—and never speak of that incident again—and be happy and stay with me forever."
Matilda timidly slipped an arm through William's.
"Forgive me, William!" said she appealingly.