He had not noticed the almost fierce strength of his clasp. But his life
was desperately hungry for her. "Forgive me, dearest.--As I said, better
than my best; for, Ruth, my life was--wicked, long ago. You cannot
understand how wicked!"
"You are a clergyman and a good man," she said, with pathetic negation.
"You give me a heart unsoiled, unspotted of the world. I have been in
some ways worse than the worst men in the valley there below."
"Galt, Galt, you shock me!" she said.
"Why did I speak? Why did I kiss your hand as I did? Because at the
moment it was the only honest thing to do; because it was due you that I
should say: 'Ruth, I love you, love you so much'"--here she nestled close
to him--"'so well, that everything else in life is as nothing beside
it--nothing! so well that I could not let you share my wretchedness.'"
She ran her hand along his breast and looked up at him with swimming
eyes.
"And you think that this is fair to me? that a woman gives the heart for
pleasant weather only? I do not know what your sorrow may be, but it is
my right to share it. I am only a woman; but a woman can be strong for
those she loves.
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