You talked so
eloquently that with a little more persuasion from me she will know
and understand. Come, I must be gone after her. Which way did she
ride--up or down the valley?"
"You could talk to her forever and she'd never listen. Pierre, I told
her that I was--your woman--that you'd told me of your scenes with
her--and that we'd laughed at them together."
She covered her eyes and crouched, waiting for the wrath that would
fall on her, but he only smiled bitterly on the bowed head, saying:
"Why have I waited so long to hear you say what I knew already? I
suppose because I wouldn't believe until I heard the whole abominable
truth from your own lips. Jack, why did you do it?"
"Won't you see? Because I've loved you always, Pierre!"
"Love--you--your tiger-heart? No, but you were like a cruel, selfish
child. You were jealous because you didn't want the toy taken away. I
knew it. I knew that even if I rode after her it would be hopeless.
Oh, God, how terribly you've hurt me, partner!"
It wrung a little moan from her.
Pages:
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286