And I sank on my bed, trembling; and presently fell into the grief-stricken lethargy which is all I know now of sleep.
"But when I woke to face the dreadful day again, I knew the time had come.

And I went to mother that evening and told her.
"But, Garry, there is never to be any escape from deception, it seems; I had to make her think I _wanted_ to acknowledge and take up life with my husband.

My life is to be a living lie!...
"As I expected, mother was shocked and grieved beyond words--and, dearest, they are bitterly disappointed; they all had hoped it would be _you_.
"She says there must positively be another ceremony.

I don't know how dad will take it--but mother is so good, so certain of his forgiving me.
"It wrings my heart--the silent astonishment of Cecile and Gray--and their trying to make the best of it, and mother, smiling for my sake, tender, forgiving, solicitous, and deep under all bitterly disappointed.

Oh, well--she can bear that better than disgrace.
"I've been crying over this letter; that's what all this blotting means.
"Now I can never see you again; never touch your hand, never look into those brown eyes again--Garry! Garry!--never while life lasts.
"I ask forgiveness for all the harm my love has done to you, for all the pain it has caused you, for the unhappiness that, please God, will not endure with you too long.
"I have tried to pray that the pain will not last too long for you; I will try to pray that you may love another woman and forget all this unhappiness.
"Think of me as one who died, loving you.