When Arthur Osborne first declared his love to Juliette she had a hard struggle with her pride, but before she gave him her answer she told him the whole story of her folly and sin and repentance.
“If you had known this you would not have asked me to be your wife,” she said sadly.
But she was mistaken, for he reiterated his offer, declaring that he admired her frankness and believed in her repentance.
“I will help you to forget your bitter past,” he said; then Juliette gave him a blushing yes.
The betrothal was a month old when, one day, as Pansy sat alone in the drawing-room of her beautiful home, some visitors were announced, and Mrs. Wylde, with her daughter and a beautiful little boy, entered the room.
Pansy sprang up with a little startled cry, and was immediately half smothered in kisses and embraces from all three.
“Forgive me for my share in your past unhappiness. I had never seen you, and believed you to be a coarse, ignorant girl, unsuited to my son in every way,” murmured Mrs. Wylde regretfully.
“Let us forget the past,” answered the noble girl she had injured, as she drew her child to her breast, wondering, yet not daring to ask, about his father.
Juliette came in presently, and they met her with the cordiality of old friends. Then she looked at Pansy.
“Norman is here, too,” she said smilingly, “but I think he was doubtful of a welcome, and he stopped in the summerhouse. Will you meet him halfway, Pansy?”