"Oh yes, I did. I didn't misunderstand again—I was not so silly as that. It was only the accident of Dick's illness which prevented my going wrong with him."
Mrs. Stoddart started.
"Then you never——" she said diffidently, but with controlled agitation.
"No," said Annette, "but it's the same as if I had. I meant to."
There was a moment's silence.
"No one," thought Mrs. Stoddart, "but Annette would have left me all these months believing the worst had happened—not because she was concealing the truth purposely, but because it did not strike her that I could regard her as innocent when she did not consider herself so."
"It is not the same as if you had," said Mrs. Stoddart sternly. "If you mean to do a good and merciful action, and something prevents you, is it the same as if you had done it? Is anyone the better for it?"
"No."
"Well, then, remember, Annette, that it is the same with evil actions. You were not actually guilty of it. Be thankful you were not."