Her heart ached for Leslie!
Had not that poor girl suffered enough without this?
"It wouldn't be so hard to go and leave her if she were
only happy," resumed Owen passionately. "But to think
of her living death--to realise what it is to which I
do leave her! THAT is the worst of all. I would give
my life to make her happy--and I can do nothing even to
help her--nothing. She is bound forever to that poor
wretch--with nothing to look forward to but growing old
in a succession of empty, meaningless, barren years.
It drives me mad to think of it. But I must go through
my life, never seeing her, but always knowing what she
is enduring. It's hideous--hideous!"
"It is very hard," said Anne sorrowfully. "We--her
friends here--all know how hard it is for her."
"And she is so richly fitted for life," said Owen
rebelliously.
"Her beauty is the least of her dower--and she is the
most beautiful woman I've ever known. That laugh of
hers! I've angled all summer to evoke that laugh, just
for the delight of hearing it. And her eyes-- they are
as deep and blue as the gulf out there.
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