“Can you?—I wanted to spare you—but you are forcing me to this—forcing me to tell you something that is going to hurt you.”
The tragic tone of her voice caused him to stand as though petrified.
“I said I should go now—to-night; and I am going.”
“So!” he stammered, feeling an awful pang of fear at his heart. 204
“You have hitherto considered no one but yourself. How far will you carry your desire for vengeance?”
“I don’t get you——”
“Wait! I told you it was killing me up here. That didn’t seem to influence you much—but suppose there is someone else to be considered——”
“What are you saying?”
“Are you blind? Can’t you guess? The other person is as yet unborn.”
His eyes were blind with pain. He gripped a chair and swayed dizzily. His mouth moved, but uttered no sound. When at last he spoke the words came as though forced from a clutched throat.