Perhaps when Martin is well he will not want me at all, but even then I don't think I could come back.Isn't it better that at least I should stay away for a time? You can say that I am staying with friends in London.You will be happier without me, oh, much happier--and Grace will be happier too.Perhaps you will think it better to forget me altogether and then your life will be as it was before you met me.
I won't ask you to forgive me for all the trouble I have been to you.I don't think you can.But I can't do differently now.Your affectionate MAGGIE.
She felt when she had finished it that it was miserably inadequate, but at least it was truthful.As she wrote it her old feelings of tenderness and affection for Paul came back in a great flood.She saw him during the many, many times when he had been so good to her.
She was miserable as she finished it, but she knew that there was nothing else to do.And he would know it too.
A day later a long letter came from Paul.It was very characteristic.It began by saying that of course Maggie must return at once.Throughout, the voice was that of a grieved and angry elder talking to a wicked and disobedient child.She saw that, far beyond everything else, it was his pride that was wounded, wounded as it had never been before.He could see nothing but that.Did she realise, he asked her, what she was doing? Sinning against all the laws of God and man.If she persisted in her wickedness she would be cut off from all decent people.No one could say that he had not shown her every indulgence, every kindness, every affection.Even now he was ready to forgive her, but she must come back at once, at once.Her extreme youth excused much, and both he and Grace realised it.