`` Just as I thought . Well , you must let me see it . '' `` I can not -- I burned it . '' `` Then tell me what was in it . You must . This matter must be cleared up -- I am not going to have our beautiful friendship spoiled by the malice of some coward . What did that letter say ? '' `` It said that everybody in your congregation was talking about your frequent visits here -- that it had made a great scandal -- that it was doing you a great deal of injury and would probably end in your having to leave Rexton . '' `` That would be a catastrophe indeed , '' said Alan drily . `` Well , what else ? '' `` Nothing more -- at least , nothing about you . The rest was about myself -- I did not mind it -- much . But I was so sorry to think that I had done you harm . It is not too late to undo it . You must not come here any more . Then they will forget . '' `` Perhaps -- but I should not forget . It 's a little too late for me . Lynde , you must not let this venomous letter come between us . I love you , dear -- I 've loved you ever since I met you and I want you for my wife . ''
XXXXX had not intended to say that just then , but the words came to his lips in spite of himself .
Alan Lynde Rexton catastrophe congregation coward malice matter visits wife