Am I the only woman in this world who has been mistaken?
Can you not forgive?
If I had promised, if I had said one word--and yet, you are right, too, for I have let you think in earnest what has been but a passing dream of my own thoughts.

It was all wrong; it was all my fault.

There, lay your hand in mine and say that you forgive, as I ask forgiveness." He was still standing behind her, leaning against the back of her chair.
Without looking round she raised her hand above her shoulder as though seeking for his.

But he would not take it.
"Is it so hard ?" she asked softly.

"Is it even harder for you to give than for me to ask?
Shall we part like this--not to meet again--each bearing a wound, when both might be whole?
Can you not say the word ?" "What is it to you whether I forgive you or not ?" "Since I ask it, believe that it is much to me," she answered, slowly turning her head until, without catching sight of his face, she could just see where his fingers were resting on her chair.