"Just as you would, if it was some one else and not yourself." His head was sunk on his breast, his eyes were burning.

"It was a horrible thing for Barouche to plan." "Why so horrible?
If you were hiding a marriage for whatever reason, it should be known to all whose votes you wanted." "Barouche was the last man on earth to challenge me, for he had a most terrible secret." "What was it ?" Her voice had alarm, for she had never seen Carnac so disturbed.
"He was fighting his own son--and he knew it!" The words came in broken accents.
"He was fighting his own son, and he knew it! You mean to say that!" Horror was in her voice.
"I mean that the summer before I was born--" He told her the story as his mother had told it to him.

Then at last he said: "And now you know Barode Barouche got what he deserved.

He ruined my mother's life; he died the easiest death such a man could die.

He has also spoiled my life." "Nothing can spoil your life except yourself," she declared firmly, and she laid a hand upon his arm.