“Then you must see what a splendid way out this is for me. No more waiting. No pain. Death never came to any one so kindly before. It’s my chance, if only you’ll make it worth while. Will you?” he pleaded.
“Oh, the wonder of it!” she whispered, gazing on him with parted lips. But he did not understand, yet. He pressed what he thought to be his advantage.
“Here,” he cried, suddenly dropping her hands and catching up the bills from the valise. “Here’s safety. Here’s life. For you and your sister, both. You spoke of Providence a moment ago. Here’s Providence for you! Quick! Take it.”
“What is it?” she asked, drawing away as he sought to thrust the money into her hands.
“Twenty thousand dollars. More. It doesn’t matter. It’s life for both of you. Have you the right to refuse it? Take it and go.”
She let the bank-notes fall from her hands unnoticed.
“Do you think I would leave you now?” she cried in a voice of thrilled music. “Even if they weren’t sure to trace me, as they would be.”
This last she uttered as an unimportant matter dismissed with indifference.
“There will be nothing to trace. My confession will cover the ground.”
“Confession? To what?”