Now she murmured those words to herself.

“He begged my pardon with all his heart. What need had he to beg my pardon with all his heart, when I loved him with all mine?”

The end was near. The room was now crowded; she was vaguely conscious of the last ceremonies, for it seemed to her that at the last there was one who stood beside her—tall and very dark, with a jest on his lips—who took her hand to lead her; and she was smiling, for thus she was not afraid.