She allowed him to soothe her and kiss her trembling lips to quiet, murmuring as he did so:
"Thank God you did not die the night you saved the child from drowning before I had obtained your forgiveness. I should have gone mad through grief and remorse if I had heard this story too late."
"Then you really offered that five thousand for my life in order that you might have me punished, as you thought I deserved?"
"No! Upon my soul, no! I was not so bad as that. It was the first time I had fully realized the strength and breadth of my love for you. It was the first time I knew that all my whole being was infolded in yours, and it was for my own life I offered the reward, as well as yours. It was not of vengeance that I thought then, but only love—only love!"
"My darling!" he murmured, tenderly. "Then it was not all truth she told."
"She? Who?"
"Jessica."
"She is here?"
"Yes."
"Where?"