Anne Douglas Sedgwick

“ And, creeping through her young heart like a slow surreptitious flame—falling into place, curving with darts of ardent colour into the pattern—most recent, most intimate intuitions of what a woman's love might mean. ”

“ She said that for a woman there is no greater sin. And now, I think, I understand. Giles—Is it true?”
“My darling little Alix,” said Giles in a strange, stern voice, “it is true. But she's not wicked. She's wrong; but not wicked. She's lovely, and unfortunate, and wrong, and she needs your love more than ever.”
As Giles spoke these words, Alix suddenly stumbled forward. She put out her hands blindly—for as she heard him her tears rushed down from under shut lids—and Giles's arms received her. She was sobbing against his breast. “Oh, Giles, thank you! Oh, Giles, do you forgive me?” ”