" She was about to say more, but she forced it all back into
her heart. She had never reproached him, should she do so now, in the
spot which, for so many years, she had believed his grave?
Clasping her hand, Rudolf pressed it tenderly, and to give the painful
conversation a pleasanter turn, asked:
"What are you doing now, how do you fare, Pauline?"
"I thank you for asking me." There was not a tinge of sarcasm or
bitterness in these words, nothing but gratitude. "I am getting on
perfectly well. I have worked, have made myself independent, and am
now employing eight or ten workwomen, I am well-off, almost rich."
She divined a question in the expression of his eyes, and said quickly:
"Always, Rudolf, I have always remained faithful to you. I did not
lack offers, you can understand that--but I would not accept. I was
ashamed. And I wanted to have only your memory in my heart. Does that
surprise you? I suppose you don't believe it? Of course. It isn't to
be believed. A girl is courted. What else is there. When one has
wearied of her, she is abandoned.
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