Such action on my
part might destroy him morally. Now his old self is buried as
truly as if he had died. I could never look him in the face again
if I left him to take his chances in life with no help from me,
still less if I did that which he could scarcely forgive. He could
not understand all that has happened since we thought him dead. He
would only remember that I deserted him in his present pitiable
plight. Do you understand me, Hobart?"
"I must, Helen."
"I know how hard it is for you. Can you think I forget this for a
moment? Yet I send for you to help, to sustain me in a purpose
which changes our future so greatly. Do you not remember what you
said once about accepting the conditions of life as they are? We
must do this again, and make the best of them."
"But if--suppose his memory does not come back. Is there to be no
hope?"
"Hobart, you must put that thought from you as far as you can. Do
you not see whither it might lead? You would not wish Captain
Nichol to remain as he is?"
"Oh," he cried desperately, "I'm put in a position that would tax
any saint in the calendar.
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