Page:The Happy Hypocrite - Beerbohm - 1897.pdf/58

 “Madam,” he said, in the calm voice of despair, “your cheek may well blanch, when you regard the ruin you have brought upon me. Nevertheless do I pardon you. The gods have avenged, through you, the imposture I wrought upon one who was dear to me. For that unpardonable sin I am punished. As for my poor bride, whose love I stole by the means of that waxen semblance, of her I cannot ask pardon. Ah, Jenny, Jenny do not look at me. Turn your eyes from the foul reality that I dissembled.” He shuddered and hid his face in his hands. “Do not look at me. I will go from the garden. Nor will I ever curse you with the odious spectacle of my face. Forget me, forget me.”

But, as he turned to go, Jenny laid her hands upon his wrists and besought him that he would look at her. “For indeed,” she said, “I am bewildered by your strange words. Why did you woo me under a mask? And why do you imagine I could love you less dearly, seeing your own face?”

He looked into her eyes. On their violet surface he saw the tiny reflection of his own face. He was filled with joy and wonder.

“Surely,” said Jenny, “your face is even dearer to