'"Yes, you, you alone! But—our idol came down among us and showed herself to be but common flesh and blood! What wonder that we stand aghast? What wonder that our hearts are bitter? What wonder (worse than all!) that when the awe has quite vanished, there is strife for the beautiful image fallen from its niche?"
'The Doctor ceased, and turned away. The Lady stretched out her hands towards the others; her face was deadly pale, and there was a bewildered expression in her eyes.
'"O, ye for whom I have prayed, for whom I have struggled to obtain a blessing,—ye whom I have loved so,—do ye desert me thus?" she cried.
'"You have deserted us," answered a voice.
'"I have not."
'"You have," cried Black Andy, pushing to the front. 'You love that Mitchell! Deny it if you dare!'
'There was an irrepressible murmur, then a sudden hush. The angry suspicion, the numbing certainty had found voice at last; the secret was out. All eyes, which had at first closed with the shock, were now fixed upon the solitary woman before them; they burned like coals.
'"Do I?" murmured the Lady, with a strange questioning look that turned from face to face,—"do I?—Great God! I do." She sank upon her knees and buried her face in her trembling hands. "The truth has come to me at last,—I do!"
'Her voice was a mere whisper, but every ear heard it, and every eye saw the crimson rise to the forehead and redden the white throat.
'For a moment there was silence, broken only by the hard breathing of the men. Then the Doctor spoke.