Would Gilbert overwhelm her with angry reproaches , or would he simply rise up and leave her in unutterable contempt ? It was the most tragic moment of her life , and her whole personality was strung up to meet it and withstand it . `` Well , they were good letters , anyhow , '' said Gilbert finally ; `` interesting letters , '' he added , as if by way of a meditative afterthought . It was so anti-climactic that Alma broke into an hysterical giggle , cut short by a sob . She dropped into a chair by the table and flung her hands over her face , laughing and sobbing softly to herself . Gilbert rose and walked to the door , where he stood with his back to her until she regained her self-control . Then he turned and looked down at her quizzically . Alma 's hands lay limply in her lap , and her eyes were cast down , with tears glistening on the long fair lashes . She felt his gaze on her . `` Can you ever forgive me , Gilbert ? '' she said humbly . `` I do n't know that there is much to forgive , '' he answered . `` I have some explanations to make too and , since we 're at it , we might as well get them all over and have done with them . Two years ago I did honestly think I was in love with Anna -- at least when I was round where she was . She had a taking way with her . But , somehow , even then , when I was n't with her she seemed to kind of grow dim and not count for so awful much after all . I used to wish she was more like you -- quieter , you know , and not so sparkling . When I parted from her that last night before I went west , I did feel very bad , and she seemed very dear to me , but it was six weeks from that before her -- your -- letter came , and in that time she seemed to have faded out of my thoughts . Honestly , I was n't thinking much about her at all . Then came the letter -- and it was a splendid one , too .
I had never thought that XXXXX could write a letter like that , and I was as pleased as Punch about it .
Alma Anna Gilbert afterthought contempt eyes love night weeks years