There would be reprisal, something finished in cruelty.
"My dear, my dear!" She ran over to her father and flung her arms about him, supporting him and mothering him.

An hour passed.
"All in, Kit, all in; haven't the strength of a cat.

Ah, great God; if that strength had but lasted a moment longer.

Well, he's still alive.
But, O, my Kit, my golden Kit, to see you here is to be tortured like the damned.

And it is all my fault, all mine!" The man who had once been so strong sobbed hysterically.
"Hush, hush!" "There were rare and wonderful jewels of which I alone knew the hiding place.