Thus had I successfully subdued the stubbornness of human passions: the victim which had been demanded was given: the deed was done past recal.
"I lifted the corpse in my arms and laid it on the bed.

I gazed upon it with delight.

Such was the elation of my thoughts, that I even broke into laughter.

I clapped my hands and exclaimed, 'It is done! My sacred duty is fulfilled! To that I have sacrificed, O my God! thy last and best gift, my wife!' "For a while I thus soared above frailty.

I imagined I had set myself forever beyond the reach of selfishness; but my imaginations were false.
This rapture quickly subsided.