“We have wronged you—forgive us!” she cried, impulsively; and they clasped each other and wept together, jealous rivals no longer, but loving friends.
“Mother, I knew something must be wrong, or you would have come to see me while I lay ill so long. I suspected papa, because he had been so angry over my marriage, so I decided to come and see you. And, oh, how glad I am that I would not take Mae’s dismissal, but forced my way to your presence! Will it not be some comfort to you to know that I was true to Rolfe?” Viola said, presently, thinking—oh, so tenderly!—of Rolfe’s plaintive letter, in which he had begged her to keep up a little pretense of caring for him, just for his mother’s sake, that she might be less unhappy when he was gone.
In his humility he had not guessed that Viola would not need to pretend, since unconscious love had already taken deep root in her grateful heart.
Yes, it made Mrs. Maxwell much happier to understand that Viola had really cared for Rolfe. She did not deny it, and her heart warmed to the sorrowful young widow.
“We must always be dear friends now. Will you both come and see me sometimes?” said Viola.
But Mrs. Maxwell’s face hardened as she answered:
“We could not come under the roof of the man who wronged Rolfe and sent him away so unhappy to his untimely death, dear Viola. Why, only think, my daughter; if he had permitted your husband an interview with you that night, you two might have come to an understanding, and he might never have gone away. I hope I am a good Christian, but I am not able to forgive your father yet for his sin.”
Viola could not blame her for her bitterness, since her own heart was hot with anger against the author of her woe.
“You are right; but I shall come and see you often, and you shall tell me stories of Rolfe. I shall want to hear all about him from his very babyhood,” she said, earnestly; adding, with a sudden blush: “And I wish above all things for a good picture of him. Can you give me one?”
“Gladly,” was the answer; and an album was brought out containing pictures of Rolfe from infancy to manhood.