him the
letter. It was evident, by his face, that he was gratified by the
privilege; and he read it, not once only, but over and over again. As
he did so, he placed himself in the shade, and sat with his back to
Mrs. Orme; but nevertheless she could see that from time to time he
rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, and gradually raised his
handkerchief to his face.

"Thank you, dearest," he said, as he gave the letter back to her.

"I think that we may forgive her now, even all that she has done,"
said Mrs. Orme.

"Yes--yes--yes," he answered. "For myself, I forgave her from the
first."

"I know you did. But as regards the property,--it has been given up
now." And then again they were silent.

"Edith," he said, after a while, "I have forgiven her altogether. To
me she is the same as though she had never done that deed. Are we not
all sinners?"

"Surely, father."

"And can I say because she did one startling thing that the total of
her sin is greater than mine? Was I ever tempted as she was tempted?
Was my youth made dangerous for me as was hers? And then she did
nothing for herself; she did it all for another. We may think of that
now."

"I have thought of it always."

"It did not make the sin the less; but among her fellow-mortals--"
And then he stopped himself, wanting words to express his meaning.
The sin, till it was repented, was damning; but now that it was
repented, he could almost love the sinner for the sin.

"Edith," he said, again. And he looked at her so wishfully! She knew
well what was the working of his heart, and she knew also that she
did not dare to encourage him.

"I trust," said Mrs. Orme, "that she will bear her present lot for a
few years; and then, perhaps--"

"Ah! then I shall be in my grave. A few months will do that."

"Oh, sir!"

"Why should I not save her from such a life as that?"

"From that which she had most to fear she has been saved."

"Had she not so chosen it herself, she could now have demanded from
me a home. Why should I not give it to her now?"

"A home here, sir?"

"Yes;--why not? But I know what you would say. It would be wrong,--to
you and Perry."

"It would be wrong to yourself, sir. Think of it, father. It is the
fact that she did that thing. We may forgive her, but others will not
do so on that account. It would not be right that you should bring
her here."

Sir Peregrine knew that it would not be right. Though he was old, and
weak in body