"That is a hard question to answer."
"Do you think it the result of drink? He had never touched liquor two years since."
"I should hardly ascribe it to liquor entirely. Doubtless, over-indulgence of that nature has been a force, a great force. The delirium in which you found him may be directly ascribed to drink."
"If he had been greatly harassed, say two years since, having been up to that time a good man—if then he had suddenly fallen into evil—would you ascribe such a fall to the mental strain consequent upon the worry I have suggested?"
"She seeks every palliation for him," thought the doctor. "Madam, I should say that in the case of a man, such as you have pictured, a sudden lapse into evil courses, courses which belied his training and previous life——"
"Yes?" She was looking steadfastly at him. He little knew the resolve that hung upon his words.
"I should say he was not wholly responsible. I should attribute much to the worry, the vexations, to which you have alluded."
With all her firmness she shrank as from a blow. Thinking to comfort her, he had driven a knife into her heart.
"And now, my dear Mrs. Claghorn, since we are upon this subject—a subject from which I admit I have shrunk—let me tender you some advice. You have saved your husband's life; let that be your solace. It will not be for his happiness that you sacrifice your own."
"Go on," she said, seeing that he hesitated.