I must tell you now what I never wanted you to know. I am—worse than you are—I was on the stage—I sang in the chorus—I was pretty bad, I guess—I stole diamonds from the prima donna—they arrested me—I gave most of them up, and they let me go—I drank wine every night—a good deal—I was very wicked, but—”
Lorison knelt quickly by her side and took her hands.
“Dear Norah,” he said exultantly. “It is you, it is you I love! You never guessed it, did you? ’T is you I meant all the time. Now I can speak. Let me make you forget the past. We have suffered; let us shut out the world, and live for each other. Norah, do you hear me say I love you?”
“In spite of—”
“Rather say because of it. You have come out of your past noble and good. Your heart is an angel’s. Give it to me.”
