"Yes," she said wearily, "it was a bad dream—my mother, others—his family—many people strange and familiar passed through it. Then we travelled; I saw nothing, feeling half dead.... We were married in the Hawaiian Islands."
"I know."
"Then—the two years began."
After a long while she said again: "That was the real nightmare. I passed through the depths as in a trance. There was nothing lower, not even hell.... We travelled in Europe, Africa, and India for two years.... I scarcely remember a soul I saw or one single object. And then—that happened."
"I know, dear."
A slight shudder passed over her:
"I've told you," she whispered—"I've told you at last. Shall I tell you more?"
"Not unless——"
"I don't know whether I want to—about the gendarmes—and that terrible woman who screamed when they touched her with the handcuffs—and how ill I was——"
She had begun to tremble so perceptibly that Quarren's arm tightened around her; and presently she became limp and motionless.