"The preacher was wrong," he said. "There is no spirit of evil. We are betrayed by our own passions, and the chief of those passions is love. It is the Nemesis that stalks through the world, haunting all men, and goading some to great wrong."
"It was of your doing that I came here," said Greta.
"Would to God it may be of my doing that you remain here," said Hugh.
"That is a prayer He will not hear. I am leaving this house to-night. There is some one coming who can unmask your wicked falsehood."
"Parson Christian?" said Hugh.
Greta made no answer, and Hugh continued, "His journey is needless. A word from my mother would have done all. She is in this house."
"Yes, Heaven forgive you, she is here!" said Greta.
"You are wrong; you do not know all. Where is your husband?"
Greta shook her head. "I have neither seen him nor heard from him since we parted at these doors," she said.
"And when you leave them to-night, do you leave him behind you?" said Hugh.