"You were seeking happiness, as every one must in their own way. That
happiness lay, apparently, with Mr. Riddle."
"Ah," she cried, with a catch of her breath, "I thought you would be
judging me."
"I am stating facts. Your son was a sufficient embarrassment in this
matter, and I should have been an additional one. I blame you not, Mrs.
Temple, for anything you have done to me, but I blame you for embittering
Nick's life."
"And he?" she said. It seemed to me that I detected a faltering in her
voice.
"I will hide nothing from you. He blames you, with what justice I leave
you to decide."
She did not answer this, but turned her head away towards the bayou. Nor
could I determine what was in her mind.
"And now I ask you whether I have acted as your friend in begging you to
meet me."
She turned to me swiftly at that.
"I am at a loss to see how there can be friendship between us, Mr.
Ritchie," she said.
"Very good then, Madame; I am sorry," I answered. "I have done all that
is in my power, and now events will have to take their course."
I had not gone two steps into the wood before I heard her voice calling
my name. She had risen, and leaned with her hand against the oak.
"Does Nick--know that you are here?" she cried.
"No," I answered shortly. Then I realized suddenly what I had failed to
grasp before,--she feared that I would pity her.
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