Page 399 of 416

"Now is it plain to you how I have undone my own plans? Two

things I desired more than anything else on earth, you, and

Burns's ruin. I ruined Burns and paved the way for the loss of

you, for, unscrupulous as I am in some things, I could never

marry you when Nellie was free and you loved her. I have wanted

happiness so hard, Code, that when I see others who have it

within their grasp, I cannot stand in their way.

"But I don't mind now--I really don't. That was all in the past,

and it's over now. If you want to make me happy, be happy

yourself. I see there are forces that guide our lives that must

have their will whatever our own private plans may be, and,

having learned that lesson, I feel that perhaps now I shall be

happier, somehow, than I ever would have been if my own

selfishness had triumphed."

Code lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.