Let her come back to him.
He had the comfortable conviction that he would never see her again, and that through her own fault only.

In this conviction he told himself solemnly that if she would come to him he would receive her with generous forgiveness, because such was the praiseworthy solidity of his principles.

But he hesitated whether he would or would not disclose to Lingard the revolting completeness of his humiliation.

Turned out of his house--and by his wife; that woman who hardly dared to breathe in his presence, yesterday.

He remained perplexed and silent.No.He lacked the courage to tell the ignoble story.
As the boat of the brig appeared suddenly on the black water close to the jetty, Lingard broke the painful silence.
"I always thought," he said, sadly, "I always thought you were somewhat heartless, Willems, and apt to cast adrift those that thought most of you.