After having read the letters which unveiled so many mysteries, he remained for a time in a sort of dazed state of mind. He closed his eyes. A thousand conflicting thoughts and ideas reached his brain. He feared he was losing his mind.
By degrees he recovered his self-possession, and contemplated the new opportunities which this discovery offered his hatred with a calmness which was more dreadful than anger.
CHAPTER XXXVI. PLANS
Once enlightened on the subject of the birth of Erebus, Pog, in his diabolical joy, thanked the devil for having delivered the child into his hands.
All the feelings of aversion which Erebus had inspired in him were now explained; all his impulses of tenderness for the unfortunate youth could now be easily understood.
Erebus was the son of his mortal enemy; but he was also the son of the woman whom he had adored.
Without the secret instinct of hatred and of vengeance which dominated his being unconsciously, he could never have taken such pleasure in corrupting and perverting a young and innocent soul.
The most hardened hearts find a solace in the thought that their crimes are justifiable.
From this moment, Pog saw into his hatred clearly, if it may be said; his only indecision now was how to satiate his revenge.