He had planned, planned--ah, God, can you not see it all! I would have
taken his life without a thought. I was mad to go upon such an adventure,
but I meant no ill. I had not one thought that I could not have cried out
from the housetops, and he had in his heart--he had what you saw. But you
repent that you killed him--by accident, it was by accident. Do you
realise how many times others have been trapped by him as was I? Do you
not see what he was--as I see now? Did he not say as much to me before
you came, when I was dumb with terror? Did he not make me understand what
his whole life had been? Did I not see in a flash the women whose lives
he had spoiled and killed? Would I have had pity? Would I have had
remorse? No, no, no! I was frightened when it was done, I was horrified,
but I was not sorry; and I am not sorry. It was to be. It was the true
end to his vileness. Ah!"
She shuddered, and buried her face in her hands for a moment, then went
on: "I can never forgive myself for going to the Palace with him. I was
mad for experience, for mystery; I wanted more than the ordinary share of
knowledge.
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