"Peg!" said Faith with a little shiver.
"The best friend either of you ever had," Mr. Shawyer insisted gently. "The most loyal friend!"
"Oh, I know, I know!" said Faith weeping; she could not bear to remember in what manner she and Peg had parted.
Mr. Shawyer went on steadily.
"Think what a shock her death has been to your husband, without his friend's treachery, and...." he stopped, feeling her shrink beneath his hand, and for a moment there was silence before he went on sadly:
"I have always looked upon Nicholas as a hard man of the world, perhaps incapable of deep feeling, but this morning he was just a broken-hearted boy when he came to tell me what had happened, and that is why I dare to ask you if you will not go to him, and beg for his forgiveness."
"Oh—I couldn't...."
He took his hand from her shoulder.
"Then I am afraid he will go away, and that you will never see him again."
Faith checked her sobbing. She sat with her hands clasped in her lap, staring before her with haggard eyes.