"I preach faith in miracles," he said. "I dare say between
you and her it would be just that."
"I have been deeply culpable. Common sense, common
knowledge of men and women should have warned me that
there might be danger. But I looked upon the matter as
our own--as between us only. I confess that I have not
till now thought of that part of it, but surely--You
cannot mean to tell me that what I have always supposed
my sincere and devoted friendship for Miss Murchison has
been in any way prejudicial--"
"To her in the ordinary sense? To her prospects of marriage
and her standing in the eyes of the community? No, Finlay.
No. I have not heard the matter much referred to. You
seem to have taken none of the ordinary means--you have
not distinguished her in the eyes of gossip. If you had
it would be by no means the gravest thing to consider.
Such tokens are quickly forgotten, especially here, where
attentions of the kind often, I've noticed, lead to
nothing. It is the fact, and not the appearance of it,
that I speak of--that I am concerned with."
"The fact is beyond mending," said Finlay, dully.
"Aye, the fact is beyond mending. It is beyond mending
that Advena Murchison belongs to you and you to her in
no common sense. It's beyond mending that you cannot now
be separated without such injury to you both as I would
not like to look upon.
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