She moved away a few paces and came back again with: "No, I was not to blame when I gave myself to you, for you promised that I should do and live precisely as I pleased. And I was such an inexperienced child that I did not in the least understand how you were outwitting me. But I did wrong when I heard how matters really were and did not at once leave you. Also when I failed to do so later. However, this is connected with many things about which we will not talk at present. All we can do now is to make amends, as far as we can, for the past. Give me up, and try to do your duty toward others."
"What do you mean by that?" His eyes blinked and his face grew sharp.
"I mean that you have outwitted others, so I have heard, for your own selfish ends. Try to make amends for your evil deeds, if you really desire improvement."
"That is not true. If it was, it is nothing to you."
"Alas! alas! There is little hope of improvement, I fear, in this as in other things. Aye, then, farewell! It shall be as I have said."
He looked up and distorted his face to a grin, making the eyes almost wholly disappear beneath the bushy brows.
"You cannot leave here without my consent."
"Oh!"
"Moreover, have you considered what you are doing? Are you right in the eyes of God?"
"You know very well what I think upon this subject."