There stood Raoul, his face dead white, and very
stern in the light of the hall lamp. I had never seen him like that
before.
"I know why you're here," I began quickly, before he could speak. "Count
Godensky told me what he said to you. I--hoped you would come."
"Is this why you wished to know what I would do if you deceived me?" he
asked, with the bitterest reproach in eyes and voice.
"No. For I hadn't deceived you," I answered. "I haven't deceived you
now. If you loved me, you'd believe me, Raoul."
I put out my hand and took his. He gave mine no pressure, but he let me
draw him into the house.
"For God's sake, give me back my faith in you, if you can," he said.
"It's death to lose it. I came here wanting to die."
"After you'd killed me, as you said?"
"Perhaps. I couldn't keep away. I had to come. If you have any
explanation, for the love of Heaven, tell me what it is."
"You know me, and you know Godensky--yet you need an explanation of
anything evil said of me by him?" In this way I hoped to disarm Raoul;
but he had been half-mad, I think, and was scarcely sane now, such a
power had jealousy over his better self.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181