"Mother!" said he, at last. "She may be dead. Most likely she is""No, Will; she is not dead," said Mrs. Leigh. "God will not let her die till I've seen her once again. Thou dost not know how I've prayed and prayed just once again to see her sweet face, and tell her I've forgiven her, though she's broken my heart--she has, Will." She could not go on for a minute or two for the choking sobs. "Thou dost not know that, or thou wouldst not say she could be dead--for God is very merciful, Will; He is: He is much more pitiful than man. Icould never ha' spoken to thy father as I did to Him--and yet thy father forgave her at last. The last words he said were that he forgave her. Thou'lt not be harder than thy father, Will? Do not try and hinder me going to seek her, for it's no use."Will sat very still for a long time before he spoke. At last he said, "I'll not hinder you. I think she's dead, but that's no matter.""She's not dead," said her mother, with low earnestness. Will took no notice of the interruption.
