Did you forgive Donaldson four hundred and eighty-nine times, and
draw the line at the four hundred and ninetieth?"
"No, I never had anything to forgive him--till that one thing came out.
But it was a very big thing. Too big!"
"_Too_ big, eh? There was another saying of Christ's about those without
sin throwing the first stone. Of course I'm sure _you_ were without sin.
But you look as if you might have had a heart--once."
"Oh, I had, I had!" Tears streamed down Annesley's pale face, and she did
not wipe them away. "It's dead now I think."
"Think again. Think of what the man is--what he's proved himself to be.
He's twice as good now as one of your best saints of the Church. He's
purified by fire. You've got the face of an angel, Mrs. Donaldson, but in
my opinion you're a wicked woman unworthy of the love you've inspired."
"You speak to me cruelly," the girl said through her tears. "I've been
very unhappy!"
"Not as unhappy as you've made Don by _your_ cruelty. Good heavens, these
tender girls can be more cruel when they set about punishing us, than the
hardest man! And to punish a fellow like that by making him live in an
ice-house, when you could have done anything with him by a little
kindness! Don't _I_ know that?
"I'm the sponsor for such sins as Don's committed.
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