"I thought I loved Belhaven," she said simply, determined not to spare herself. "I was going to run away with him. He begged me to—but it wasn't any more his fault than mine. I'm trying to tell you the truth, the whole truth. Then came that night and your anger and—and I saw he was afraid."
"The hound!"
"I saw he was afraid," her voice trailed on, quivering, "and I saw how Rachel suffered. Johnstone, I've been punished; I deserve it, but—the way is fearful, that way of the transgressors. Not my feet only, but my heart bleeds. I went to Rachel; I begged her, I've begged her twice, to get a divorce, to marry Charter; they love each other. She won't do it—because—" Eva's voice broke with a sob—"she says she can't, that it would ruin me."
"So it would—now."
"Then let it! I can't bear this, Johnstone; cast me out, help Rachel to get free. I can't bear it any longer, it's killing me!"
"You've quite forgotten me, Eva."
"No, no, I haven't!" She burst into sudden, violent weeping. "I haven't; I know now—I know you've suffered too. Johnstone, you won't kill him?"
"Not now. It would disgrace Rachel. Think what I—your husband—owe to Rachel."
"Then it's for her, you mean? It can't be done on her account?"
He nodded; speech was not easy.