"And in spite of all that--Felicitas?"
"In spite of all that--Leo."
He felt once more as if his fury would overmaster him. He was almost suffocated by it, and he had to put restraint on himself not to fly at her as she stood there, in her defenceless beauty, smiling up at him.
"My God, speak!" he thundered.
"You have questioned me, and I have answered. What more do you wish me to do?"
"To justify yourself."
"I can't justify myself. If you would like to kill me, do it; here I am at your mercy. My wretchedness is unspeakable; death would be joy in comparison."
And still she smiled. If it was all hypocrisy she would cry, not smile, he reasoned.
"But I'll tell you everything," she continued. "Confess to you as one criminal confesses to another, who is bound with him on the galleys. For so you are bound to me, Leo--in unexpiated sin--in guilt, and in tears."
She stood before him with raised arms, like a perfect statue of the repenting Magdalene.