"Mr. Van Berg," she said, in tones that were quiet and firm, "please
take Mr. Eltinge's seat, for I wish to speak to you as a friend."
He obeyed mechanically, without removing his eyes from her face.
"I once took counsel of passion and despair," she resumed, "and you
know what might have resulted, but on this spot God forgave me and
I promised to try to do right. With shame I confess I have not
fully kept that promise, but I shall try to do so hereafter, be
the consequences what they may. Pardon me for speaking so plainly,
but you are now taking counsel of passion and turning your back
on duty. While almost insane from self-reproach and wounded pride
you are taking steps that may blast your own life and the lives
of others. To my mind there is an infinite distance between the
error you naturally fell into in view of Miss Burton's loveliness
of character and any base intent, but even if I should share in
your harsh judgement--which I never can--I would still say that you
cannot help the past, and you are now bound by all that's sacred to
ask only what is right, and to do that at every cost to yourself.
You are pledged to Miss Burton, and you must make good your pledge.
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