And, God help me! I would do it again and yet again, if I lost my soul for ever, Monsieur.

Monsieur, I know that in his madness he would have killed you, but it was his suffering, not a bad heart, that made him do it.

Do a sorrowful woman a great kindness and spare him, Monsieur." She had held the man motionless and staring.

When she ended, he got to his feet and came near to her.

There was a curious look in his face, half struggle, half mysterious purpose.