"Horace!" he said.
Horace slowly looked up. Julian rose and approached him.
"She has told you to thank _me_, if her conscience has spoken.
Thank the noble nature which answered when I called upon it! Own
the priceless value of a woman who can speak the truth. Her
heartfelt repentance is a joy in heaven. Shall it not plead for
her on earth? Honor her, if you are a Christian! Feel for her, if
you are a man!"
He waited. Horace never answered him.
Mercy's eyes turned tearfully on Julian. _His_ heart was the
heart that felt for her! _His_ words were the words which
comforted and pardoned her! When she looked back again at Horace,
it was with an effort. His last hold on her was lost. In her
inmost mind a thought rose unbidden--a thought which was not to
be repressed. "Can I ever have loved this man?"
She advanced a step toward him ; it was not possible, even yet,
to completely forgot the past. She held out her hand.
He rose on his side--without looking at her.
"Before we part forever," she said to him, "will you take my hand
as a token that you forgive me?"
He hesitated. He half lifted his hand. The next moment the
generous impulse died away in him.
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