Do you wonder that I 've been a bitter man ? '' `` I was wrong -- I was wrong , '' she sobbed . `` I should have believed in you . But do n't you think I 've paid , too ? Forgive me , Walter -- it 's too late to atone -- but forgive me . '' '' Is it too late ? '' he asked gravely . She pointed to the scar . `` Could you endure seeing this opposite to you every day at your table ? '' she asked bitterly . `` Yes -- if I could see your sweet eyes and your beloved smile with it , Avery , '' he answered passionately . `` Oh , Avery , it was you I loved -- not your outward favor . Oh , how foolish you were -- foolish and morbid ! You always put too high a value on beauty , Avery . If I had dreamed of the true state of the case -- if I had known you were here all these years -- why I heard a rumor long ago that you had married , Avery -- but if I had known I would have come to you and made you be -- sensible . '' She gave a little laugh at his lame conclusion . That was so like the old Walter . Then her eyes filled with tears as he took her in his arms . * * * * * The door of the blue room opened . Jims did not look up .
It was Aunt Augusta , of course -- and she had XXXXX the whole story .
answered atone believed dreamed forgive gave heard known made married