“And leave my father?� Diana’s pale face was stern. “Leave him in sorrow and loss and loneliness? Never!�
“Ah!� said her mother bitterly, “you love him; it is he who has all your heart!�
“I love him dearly,� said the girl, “now more than ever.�
Letty turned away. “He is revenged!� she said passionately.
Diana took a step nearer and laid her hand on her arm. “Mother,� she said quietly, “I will try to love you also, but remember that for twenty years I have known only a beautiful image of you that his love erected to save your memory for me. But I will try to love you, I will certainly come to see you, I will do anything I can, but only on one condition—�
“My God!� cried Letty passionately, “you make a condition? You bargain with me—I must beg for and buy your love?�
“No,� replied Diana, “love you cannot buy, but I will do all I can, if you will promise me never to let this great sorrow mar his life again, if you will help me guard him, if you will remember how beautifully he shielded your name for your child.�
Letty covered her face with her hands. “Alas!� she said, “you have found a way to punish me, but I promise, Diana.�
“He has been ill,� Diana went on hurriedly, “he has been in trouble, he needs me every moment, and I love him dearly; for his sake, because he wishes it, I love you also.�
Mrs. Fenwick still wept; involuntarily they turned together and walked slowly toward the gate. “I want to see him,� she said at last, “I want to ask his forgiveness.�