CHAPTER XL
關燈
小
中
大
hentheyquestionedHim.Itisthosethatcannotconnectwhohastentocastthefirststone.
ThiswasHelen’sevening—wonatwhatcost,andnottobemarredbythesorrowsofothers.OfherowntragedyMargaretneverutteredaword.
“Oneisolates,”saidHelenslowly.“IisolatedMr.WilcoxfromtheotherforcesthatwerepullingLeonarddownhill.Consequently,Iwasfullofpity,andalmostofrevenge.ForweeksIhadblamedMr.Wilcoxonly,andso,whenyourletterscame—”
“Ineedneverhavewrittenthem,”sighedMargaret.“TheynevershieldedHenry.Howhopelessitistotidyawaythepast,evenforothers!”
“IdidnotknowthatitwasyourownideatodismisstheBasts.”
“Lookingback,thatwaswrongofme.”
“Lookingback,darling,Iknowthatitwasright.Itisrighttosavethemanwhomoneloves.Iamlessenthusiasticaboutjusticenow.Butweboththoughtyouwroteathisdictation.Itseemedthelasttouchofhiscallousness.Beingverymuchwroughtupbythistime—andMrs.Bastwasupstairs.Ihadnotseenher,andhadtalkedforalongtimetoLeonard—Ihadsnubbedhimfornoreason,andthatshouldhavewarnedmeIwasindanger.SowhenthenotescameIwantedustogotoyouforanexplanation.Hesaidthatheguessedtheexplanation—heknewofit,andyoumustn’tknow.Ipressedhimtotellme.Hesaidnoonemustknowitwassomethingtodowithhiswife.RightuptotheendwewereMr.BastandMissSchlegel.IwasgoingtotellhimthathemustbefrankwithmewhenIsawhiseyes,
