“And for what? To bring him where he might play the part of serpent on the hearth, and sting him to the quick.”
“Madelaine, for God’s sake, mercy!”
She could have none then.
“To give shelter, ah! and, some day, the hand of the weak, trusting girl who loved him, and said, ‘Give him time, father, and he will change’—to give him some day her hand and love, and welcome him as a son.”
“Madelaine!” he cried, throwing himself on his knees, to clasp the hem of her dress and literally grovel at her feet.
“To the man who could stoop to be a vile contemptible thief!”
“No, no, no!” cried Harry, springing to his feet; “not that—not that.”
“And rob him.”
“No; anything but that. I swear I did not do that.”
“And when detected in the act did not scruple to play the would-be murderer.”