“Don’t you see that this is the only thing that’s left?” he asked.
“And don’t you see,” she said rapidly, “its effect upon your mother? In her weakened condition, your death will be her death. You just said you had injured enough already. Do you want to kill one more? And besides, and in spite of all,” she added with a sudden fire, “there’s a big man in you! Face it like that man!”
He hesitated. Then he relaxed his hold upon the pistol, still without speaking. Katherine returned it to its place and closed the drawer.
At this instant Old Hosie, who had been awaiting Katherine below, rushed excitedly into the library.
“Don’t you know hell’s broke loose?” he cried to Katherine. “They’ll have that front door down in a minute! Come on!”
But Katherine could not take her gaze from Blake’s pale, set face.
“What are you going to do?” she asked again.
“What is he going to do?” exclaimed Old Hosie. “Better ask what that mob is going to do. Listen to them!”
A raging cry for Blake’s life ascended, almost deafening their ears.