"Promising I would remain silent, I pocketed the gems and came away.
"Whether I acted rightly or wrongly I do not know.
"I suppose by this time the two are married and on their way to France. I believe Corinne told the truth and that under other influences she will become an excellent wife and mother. At least she has the opportunity.
"The other half of my tale—the half I neither foresaw nor planned—is familiar to you.
"The fog that drove me out of my course; my subsequent shipwreck and illness; the coming of Currier, our old family servant; the chain of circumstances that brought upon me the calamities from which I have just extricated myself—these are an old story. The only thing that now remains to clear my sky is for me to right myself with Marcia."
"That will be easy," smiled Sylvia.
"I wish I thought so," was Heath's moody answer.
"Marcia is no ordinary woman. Her understanding and love are measureless. Love, Mr. Heath, forgives a great deal."
"I know it does. In that lies my only hope."