You must forgive me. You must! I had no choice."
"When we know all of whatever it may be, we can never do anything
but forgive, madame. That is the profoundest religious truth that
was ever written. It contains, in fact, a whole religion - the
noblest religion any man could have to guide him. I say this for
your comfort, madame my mother."
She sprang away from him with a startled cry. Beyond him in the
shadows by the door a pale figure shimmered ghostly. It advanced
into the light, and resolved itself into Aline. She had come in
answer to that forgotten summons madame had sent her by Jacques.
Entering unperceived she had seen Andre-Louis in the embrace of
the woman whom he addressed as "mother." She had recognized him
instantly by his voice, and she could not have said what bewildered
her more: his presence there or the thing she overheard.
"You heard, Aline?" madame exclaimed.
"I could not help it, madame. You sent for me. I am sorry if... "
She broke off, and looked at Andre-Louis long and curiously.
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