"
"Pardon me," said Mrs. Clifton, touched by these words, half bitter,
half pathetic; "let me, at any rate, thank you for the service you
have done me now. When you are released from your confinement, come
to me. If you wish to change your mode of life and live honestly
henceforth, I will give you the chance."
"You will!" said Peg, eagerly.
"I will."
"After all the injury I have done you, you will trust me still?"
"Who am I that I should condemn you? Yes, I will trust you, and
forgive you."
"I never expected to hear such words," said Peg, her heart softened,
and her arid eyes moistened by unwonted emotion, "least of all from
you. I should like to ask one thing."
"What is it?"
"Will you let her come and see me sometimes?" she pointed to Ida as
she spoke; "it will remind me that this is not all a dream--these
words which you have spoken."
"She shall come," said Mrs. Clifton, "and I will come too,
sometimes."
"Thank you," said Peg.
They left the prison behind them, and returned home.
"Mr. Somerville is in the drawing-room," said the servant. "He
wishes to see you."
Mrs. Clifton's face flushed.
"I will go down," she said. "Ida, you will remain here."
She descended to the drawing-room, and met the man who had injured
her. He had come with the resolve to stake his all upon a single
cast.
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