I was a brute in leaving you as I did.

But what could I do?
I was married, and--" "And your wife still lives ?" asked Laura, bending a little forward in her eagerness.
The Colonel noticed the action, and he almost said "no," but he thought of the folly of attempting concealment.
"Yes.

She is here." What little color had wandered back into Laura's face forsook it again.
Her heart stood still, her strength seemed going from her limbs.

Her last hope was gone.

The room swam before her for a moment, and the Colonel stepped towards her, but she waved him back, as hot anger again coursed through her veins, and said, "And you dare come with her, here, and tell me of it, here and mock me with it! And you think I will have it; George?
You think I will let you live with that woman?
You think I am as powerless as that day I fell dead at your feet ?" She raged now.