I drew back as Claire approached the bed, dreading to meet Tom’s eyes; but I saw them welcome her in a flash of thankful rapture, then slowly close as though unable wholly to bear this glad vision.

Altogether lovely she was as she bent and lifted his nerveless hand, with the light of purest compassion on her face.

“You have come then,” said the dying man.  “God bless you for that!”

“I am come, and oh!  I am so very, very sorry.”

“I saw Jasper write and knew he had sent, but I hardly dared to hope.  I am—­very weak—­and am going—­fast.”

For answer, a tear of infinite pity dropped on the white hand.

“Don’t weep—­I can’t bear to see you weeping.  It is all for the best.  I can see that I have had hopes and visions, but I should never have attained them—­never.  Now I shall not have to strive.  Better so—­better so.”

For a moment or two the lips moved inaudibly; then they spoke again—­

“It was so good of you—­to come; I was afraid—­afraid—­but you are good.  You saved my play last night, but you cannot save—­me.”  A wan smile played over the white face and was gone.

“Better so, for I can speak now and be pardoned.  Do you know why I sent for you?  I wanted to tell something—­before I died.  Do not be angry—­I shall be dead soon, and in the grave, they say, there is no knowledge.  Clarissa! oh, pity me—­pity me, if I speak!”

The eyes looked up imploringly and met their pardon.

“I have loved you—­yes, loved you.  Can you forgive?  It need not distress—­you—­now.  It was mad—­mad—­but I loved you.  Jasper, come here.”

I stepped to the bed.

“Tell her I loved her, and ask her—­to forgive me.  Tell her I knew it was hopeless.  Tell her so, Jasper.”

Powerless to meet those trustful eyes, weary with the anguish of my remorse, I stood there helpless.

“Jasper is too much—­upset just now to speak.  Never mind, he will tell you later.  He is in love himself.  I have never seen her, but I hope he may be happier than I. Forgive me for saying that.  I am happy now—­happy now.

“You do not know Jasper,” continued the dying man after a pause; “but he saw you last night—­and admired—­how could he help it?  I hope you will be friends—­for my sake.  Jasper is my only friend.”

There was a grey shadow on his face now—­the shadow of death.  Tom must have felt it draw near, for suddenly raising himself upon his elbow, he cried—­

“Ah, I was selfish—­I did not think.  They are waiting at the theatre—­go to them.  You will act your best—­for my sake.  Forget what I have said, if you cannot forgive.”

“Oh, why will you think that?”

“You do forgive?  Oh, God bless you, God bless you for it!  Clarissa, if that be so, grant one thing more of your infinite mercy.  Kiss me once—­once only—­on the lips.  I shall die happier so.  Will you—­can you—­do this?”