"Mr. Gilbert," she faltered, "if—if I do this will you forgive me?"
He laid his hand on her shoulder, almost as a father might, more moved than he cared to show.
"I forgive you now," he answered.
She left the house, entered her carriage, and bade the coachman drive to the address. Then with a glow of new hope, new happiness at her heart, she fell back. Yes, she would atone for her sin—she would labor with all her strength to reform Laurence Thorndyke, to win forgiveness from Heaven and her friends. Fifteen minutes brought her to the street. Before one house a crowd had collected, a suppressed murmur of infinite excitement running through the throng.
"It is the very house we are looking for, ma'am" said the coachman, opening the door.
She could not tell why, but some swift feeling of evil made her get out and join the crowd.
"What is it?" she breathlessly inquired.
"Man jumped from a three-story window and killed himself," was the answer.
She pressed forward, her hand on her heart—very pale.
"Why did he do it?" she asked.