Looking at the humble suppliant there, she felt that punishment had already been meted out to her in fullest measure.
She could almost pity now instead of spurning the wretched creature who, having dashed love's brimming cup from the thirsty lips of another, had been forced to drink its bitter lees herself.
She moved back a pace, and said, quietly:
"Rise. You are safe from vengeance of mine."
"You will forgive me?" faltered the governess, gratefully.
Cissy answered, coldly:
"I did not say I would forgive you, for I do not think I ever can. But I will not betray your secret. To-morrow we may meet as strangers, who have no interest in each other."
She moved toward the door, followed by protestations of undying gratitude to which she made no reply.
It seemed to her that she could not breathe freely in the presence of this woman, to whom she owed all her misery. She fled to her own room to weep in solitude.