You will comprehend how wanting in firmness I am, when I tell you what happened the other night.

Incredible as it may sound, my wife, in order to prove her devotion to me and to free me from further annoyance on her part, offered to take poison; and but for my interference (fool that I was to stay her!) would have drained the phial containing the deadly potion.

The weakness was momentary, and I reproached myself for it when too late.

But it convinced me that a firmer hand than mine must be employed in the task." "And can you, after what you have related, William,--can you seriously meditate the destruction of a fond woman, who has generosity enough to lay down her life for you?
This is more incredible than the rest--more monstrously wicked." "Wicked it may be; but the excuse--if I have any--lies in my overwhelming passion for you, Frances," replied Lord Roos in a frenzied tone.

"And it seems decided by the relentless destiny that governs me, that the continued indulgence of the fatal passion shall only be purchased at the price of my soul.