He was an ugly man, with a hulking, grotesque body, but there was something of the angel in his eyes when presently he looked down at the girl's bowed head.
"Marie—will you answer me one question?"
She nodded, her lips were trembling too much to speak.
276 "Are you sure—can you tell me truthfully, with all your heart and soul, that you wish to come away with me to-night? that you know it is for your complete happiness?—that you have not one single fear, or regret?"
She nodded again, not looking at him.
"When you left me—last night," he insisted gently, "were you still quite happy?—perfectly happy?"
Silence now, then suddenly she looked up.
"Were you?" she whispered.
"No."
He never knew how he forced the word to his lips. The old longing was rending his heart, the old tempting whispers torturing him. Marie hid her face in her shaking hands.