It may be too late; but yet God may be waiting for you to lift
your hand. You said the circle may be smaller, but it may be unbroken
still. Will you not do a great thing once, and win a woman's gratitude,
and the thanks of the world, by trying to save one who makes us think
better of humanity? Will you not have the name of Nahoum Pasha linked
with his--with his who thought you were his friend? Will you not save
him?"
He got slowly to his feet, a strange look in his eyes. "Your words are
useless. I will not save him for your sake; I will not save him for the
world's sake; I will not save him--"
A cry of pain and grief broke from her, and she buried her face in her
hands.
"--I will not save him for any other sake than his own."
He paused. Slowly, as dazed as though she had received a blow, Hylda
raised her face and her hands dropped in her lap.
"For any other sake than his own!" Her eyes gazed at him in a bewildered,
piteous way. What did he mean? His voice seemed to come from afar off.
"Did you think that you could save him? That I would listen to you, if I
did not listen to him? No, no, madame.
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