You do not leave me
even the poor consolation of self-sacrifice. You are my stony-
hearted fate. I wish you had left me to drown. Tell your friend
that I am more wretched than he ever can be, because I am a woman.
Will he be satisfied?"
"He ought to be," was the low, husky reply.
"Are you proud of your triumph?"
"No, I am heartily ashamed of it; but I have kept a pledge that
will probably cost me far more than it has you."
"A pledge?"
"Yes, my pledge to make you suffer as far as possible as he
suffered."
She put her hand to her side as if she had received a wound, and
after a moment said wearily and coldly:
"Well, tell him that you succeeded, and be content;" and she
turned to leave him.
"Stay," he cried impetuously. "It is now your turn. Take your
revenge."
"My revenge?" she repeated in unfeigned astonishment.
"Yes, your revenge. I have loved you from the moment I hoped you
had a woman's heart, yes, and before--when I feared I might not be
able to save your life. I know it now, though the very thought of
it enraged me then.
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