"Oh, how rash and foolish I have been!" thought Roma, the next day, when she heard of Jesse Devereaux's accident.
"His arm broken by a fall on the sands last night—most probably on his way to see me, poor fellow! And in my angry resentment at my disappointment I have broken our engagement! How rash and foolish I am, and how much I regret it! I must make it up with him at once, my darling!" she cried repentantly, and hurried to her mother.
"Mamma, you were right last night. I regret my hasty action in dismissing Jesse without a hearing. How can I make it up with him?"
"You can send another note of explanation, asking his forgiveness," suggested Mrs. Clarke.
"Oh, mamma, if I could only go to him myself!" she cried, impatient for the reconciliation.
"It would not be exactly proper, my dear."
"But we are engaged."
"You have broken the engagement."
Roma uttered a cry of grief and chagrin that touched her mother's heart.