It would be easier for both of them, she thought, if she should give no
sign of what so quick a separation cost her. He would know surely
enough, and she wished him to know; she wished him to understand that
not one moment of his six years, so far as she was concerned, had been
spent in vain. But that could be understood without the signs of
emotion. So she spoke her speech looking steadily straight forward and
speaking in an even voice.
"I know that you will mind very much, just as I do. But there is no help
for it," she resumed. "At all events you are at home again, with the
right to be at home. It is a great comfort to me to know that. But there
are other, much greater reasons from which we can both take comfort.
Colonel Trench told me enough of your captivity to convince me that we
both see with the same eyes. We both understand that this second
parting, hard as it is, is still a very slight, small thing compared
with the other, our first parting over at the house six years ago. I
felt very lonely after that, as I shall not feel lonely now. There was a
great barrier between us then separating us forever. We should never
have met again here or afterwards.
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