She scarcely heard Eugene Mallard's words, "Where you go, I must follow, for you are my wife."
She was unaware of his presence, until fleeing down the graveled walk, she heard a step behind her, and a firm hand caught her arm. Turning, she saw the man whom she had just wedded.
She drew back in fear and trembling. He noticed her action, and despite his bitter woe he could not but feel sorry for her.
"We can not undo what has been done, my poor girl," he said. "It was a terrible mistake, but we must face it bravely."
She looked up into his face with wistful eyes.
"If you would only kill me here and now, I would be so grateful to you. No one would ever know. My life is of so little account that not one in the whole world would miss me or grieve for me, and then you could marry Hildegarde!"
He drew back shocked.
"You must not speak in that way," he said. "The life of every human being is sacred. You are entitled to your life, no matter what has happened, until God calls you. I do not blame you, my poor girl, for what has happened. I only say we must try to face the future, and to see what can be done."
Before he could realize what she was about to do, she had flung herself on her knees at his feet, and covered his hands with kisses. Her heart was full of the deepest gratitude to him. He was the only being who had ever spoken kindly to her of late.