He knew
that the blow he had given then was inevitable, and he had never felt
real repentance. Thinking of that blow, he saw its sequel in the blow he
had given now. Thus was that day linked with the present, thus had a blow
struck in punishment of the wrong done the woman at the crossroads been
repeated in the wrong done the girl who had just left him.
A sound now broke the stillness. It was a door shutting not far off. Kaid
was coming. David turned his face towards the room where Foorgat Bey was
lying dead. He lifted his arms with a sudden passionate gesture. The
blood came rushing through his veins again. His life, which had seemed
suspended, was set free; and an exaltation of sorrow, of pain, of action,
possessed him.
"I have taken a life, O my God!" he murmured. "Accept mine in service for
this land. What I have done in secret, let me atone for in secret, for
this land--for this poor land, for Christ's sake!"
Footsteps were approaching quickly. With a great effort of the will he
ruled himself to quietness again.
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