It has robbed the last month of half
its sadness." He put his arm round her waist and pressed her to his
side, but he said nothing. "It was so good of you to go to him as you
did. How was he looking?"
"Twenty years older than when you saw him last."
"But how in health?"
"He was thin and haggard."
"Was he pale?"
"No; flushed and red. He had not shaved himself for days; nor, as I
believe, had he been out of his room since he came up to London. I
fancy that he will not live long."
"Poor fellow;--unhappy man! I was very wrong to marry him, Phineas."
"I have never said so;--nor, indeed, thought so."
"But I have thought so; and I say it also,--to you. I owe him any
reparation that I can make him; but I could not have lived with him.
I had no idea, before, that the nature of two human beings could be
so unlike. I so often remember what you told me of him,--here; in
this house, when I first brought you together. Alas, how sad it has
been!"
"Sad, indeed."
"But can this be true that you tell me of yourself?
"It is quite true.
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