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 It's impossible to make you understand. I did wrong—I did horribly wrong—but that is not the way to repair it.&quot;

&quot;What is, then?&quot;

He paused, a little askance at the question. &quot;To do better—to do my best,&quot; he said, with a sudden flourish of firmness. &quot;To take warning by this dreadful—&quot;

&quot;Oh, be silent,&quot; she cried out, and hid her face. He looked at her hopelessly.

At last he said: &quot;I don't know what good it can do to go on talking. I have only one more thing to say. Of course you know that you are free.&quot; He spoke simply, with a sudden return to his old voice and accent, at which she weakened as under a caress. She lifted her head and gazed at him. &quot;Am I?&quot; she said musingly.

&quot;Kate!&quot; burst from him; but she raised a silencing hand.

&quot;It seems to me,&quot; she said, &quot;that I am