Page:Sologub Sweet Scented Name.djvu/198

 Edward Roggenfeldt put his arms about her and soothed her, saying:

"Don't weep. Don't weep, my dear Agnes. You have been a faithful wife to me."

And she, weeping bitterly, restraining her tears no longer, continued:

"I was false to you, my dear one, on that passionate, that beautiful night. I lost my senses, and what I did then seemed neither dreadful nor shameful. I leant on Bernard's arm as we walked home from the forest, and I listened to him and talked to him and was not ashamed nor fearful. When we parted near our house I gave him the crimson ribbon I wore for a memory. And he has kept it all these years."

Agnes was silent for a moment. Her eyes held a rapturous expression, and dilated as she gazed before her. Her face showed the remembrance of past happiness. Presently she went on:

"The next day I came to myself. I was overcome by shame and terror. I was utterly unlike myself all day. Bernard came as usual in the evening. He was