"What have you been doing, girl?" persisted the woman, "remember your own destiny is in this more than mine."
"But why select this man, so difficult of access, so unattainable?"
"Because he has wealth and power."
"There is some other reason, mammy. Let me know it!"
"Well, know it, then—I believe that woman loves him—I know that she loved him once."
"I know that she loves him yet," said Agnes, with a sinister smile. "For I witnessed a scene last night, when she came to after they had dragged her from the water, which settled that in my mind; but what do you care for that? How will it help us?"
"What do I care for that—I—I—what does the hungry man care for food, or the thirsty one for water? What do I care, child? Listen: I hate that woman—from my soul I hate her!"
"Then it was hatred of her, not love for me, that brought us here!"
"It was both, Agnes—do not doubt it. When I avenge the wrongs of my life on her, you must be a gainer."
"I do not understand you."