"
"He certainly was," returned Frances, laughing softly and closing with a
sigh.
"But he had truth on his side, and truth is a great stimulant to
courage," remarked Hamilton.
Frances sighed again, diligently studying her hands resting listlessly on
her lap.
"Yes, he told the truth," continued Hamilton. "That is why I sent the
letter to you early this morning, asking you to meet me for the last
time--the last time, Frances. This is not a mere promise to lure you on,
but the truth, for I have learned my lesson from Baron Ned, and with
God's help, I, too, shall hereafter protect you from all evil, including
myself. It is not the Hamilton of yesterday who is speaking to you, but a
new man, born again in the fierce light your cousin threw upon me. I
feared you might resent his effort to protect you, and I wanted to tell
you again that he spoke nothing but the truth, and that he did his duty
where another man less brave would have failed."
Frances sighed audibly, and I was sure her eyes were filled with tears.
"Hereafter I shall be as honest with you and as brave for your welfare as
Baron Ned was yesterday," said Hamilton, his voice choking with emotion.
"I see you now for the last time, unless--" He stopped speaking for a
moment and, taking her hand, continued hesitatingly, "Does the thought
pain you?"
"I suppose I should say no," answered the girl, withdrawing her hand.
"But you see, I, too, have a little moral courage, and, in the face of an
inevitable future, do not fear to say, yes, the greatest pain I have ever
known.
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