Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 2.djvu/199

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THE OTHER HOUSE
185

Jean hung there like a poised hawk. "Where is she?"

Tony gave her, with a grave gesture, a long, absolute look before which, gradually, her passion fell. "She has gone. Let her go."

She was silent a little. "But others: how will they———?"

"There are no others." After a moment he added: "She would have died for me."

The girl's pale wrath gave a flare. "So you want to die for her?"

"I shan't die. But I shall remember." Then, as she watched him, "I must tell you all," he said once more. "I knew it—I always knew it. And I made her come."

"You were kind to her—as you're always kind."

"No; I was more than that. And I should have been less." His face showed a rift in the blackness.

"I remember."

She followed him in pain and at a distance. "You mean you liked it?"

"I liked it—while I was safe. Then I grew afraid."