"
"Can we?"
"Yes, we can; and we will--back to the old footing--when nothing of
deeper sentiment disturbed us. . . . It was my fault, little girl. Some
day you will understand that it was not a wholly selfish fault--because
I believed--perhaps only dreamed--that I could make you happier by
loving you in--both ways. That is all; it is your happiness--our
happiness that we must consider; and if it is to last and endure, we
must be very, very careful that nothing really disturbs it again. And
that means that the love, which is sometimes called friendship, must be
recognised as sufficient. . . . You know how it is; a man who is locked
up in Paradise is never satisfied until he can climb the wall and look
over! Now I have climbed and looked; and now I climb back into the
garden of your dear friendship, very glad to be there again with
you--very, very thankful, dear. . . . Will you welcome me back?"
She lay quite still a minute, then sat up straight, stretching out both
hands to him, her beautiful, fearless eyes brilliant as rain-washed
stars.
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