As she stepped towards him, he met her. As she gave him her hand, he put it to his lips, and said, “God bless you!” No laughing was mixed with Bella’s crying then; her tears were pure and fervent.

“There is not an ungenerous word that I have heard addressed to you⁠—heard with scorn and indignation, Mr. Rokesmith⁠—but it has wounded me far more than you, for I have deserved it, and you never have. Mr. Rokesmith, it is to me you owe this perverted account of what passed between us that night. I parted with the secret, even while I was angry with myself for doing so. It was very bad in me, but indeed it was not wicked. I did it in a moment of conceit and folly⁠—one of my many such moments⁠—one of my many such hours⁠—years. As I am punished for it severely, try to forgive it!”

“I do with all my soul.”