“I’m sorry, Jake.”

He kissed my hand.

“Forgiven,” he murmured. “I have no regrets … now. I shall always remember you loved me enough to take me as I am … to risk your future… just to be with me. That was enough for me. And now that you have learned of my innocence you will love me more than ever, will you not?”

“No, I couldn’t, because I loved you completely and utterly before.”

“Well spoken,” he said. Then he stood up abruptly and went to the baby’s cradle because I am sure he did not want to show the depth of his emotion.

“Do you know,” he said, “I believe she takes after me.”

“Well,” I said, as moved as he was, “she might do worse.”