"
"Then you will forgive me?" she asked humbly. "I thought I had a right to
go away, thinking it would make you happier, but now I know I hadn't,
because I had promised myself to you for all my life."
"No; neither of us has a right to forsake the other (we 'are no more twain
but one flesh. What, therefore, God hath joined together, let no man put
asunder'); we are husband and wife for as long as we both shall live, and
must dwell together in mutual love and forbearance. We will exchange
forgiveness, dearest, for we have both been to blame, and I forgive your
attempt of to-night on condition that you promise me never, never to do
such a thing again."
"I promise," she said, "and," imploringly, "O Ned, won't you keep my
secret? I couldn't bear to have it known even in the family."
"No more could I, love," he answered; "and oh, but I am thankful that you
were caught by the door and so prevented from carrying out your purpose!"
"So am I, and that it was my own dear husband, and not a burglar, as I
feared, who found me there."
"Ah, was that the cause of your fright?" he asked, with a look of relief
and pleasure.
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