"
"I cannot forgive him."
"Have you tried?"
"No, I cannot try. If I forgave him, it would only be a change in
me: it would not change him: it would not undo what he has done."
"Do you know the necessity of self-sacrifice?"
"But how can I sacrifice what is best in me without lowering
myself? Is it a virtue in a woman to throw away what she holds to
be as highest?"
"Remember," he said, returning to the point, "that, if you forgive
him, you become changed yourself. You no longer see what he has
done as you see it now. That is the beauty of forgiveness: it
enables us better to understand those whom we have forgiven.
Perhaps it will enable you to put yourself in his place."
She put her hands to her eyes with a shudder: "You do not know what
you are saying," she cried, and rose.
"Then trust it all to time," he said finally, "that is best! Time
alone solves so much. Wait! Do not act! Think and feel as little
as possible. Give time its merciful chance. I'll come to see you."
They had moved toward the door. She drew off her glove which she
was putting on and laid her hand once more in his.
"Time can change nothing. I have decided."
As she was going down the steps to the carriage, she turned and
came back.
"Do not come to see me! I shall come to you to say good-by. It is
better for you not to come to the house just now. I might not be
able to see you."
Isabel had the carriage driven to the Osborns'.
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