I despised myself. I felt I hadn't the right to live, and I thought it would be easier just to pull a trigger.... People say it's cowardly to destroy oneself, they don't know what courage it wants. I couldn't face the pain—and then, I don't know what's on the other side. After all, it may be true that there's a cruel, avenging God, who will punish us to all eternity if we break His unknown laws.
John.
I'm very glad you sent for me. You had better come back to London, and stay with me for the present.
Basil.
And d'you know what happened in the night? I couldn't go to bed. I felt I could never sleep again—and then, presently, I dozed off quite quietly in my chair. And I slept as comfortably—as if Jenny weren't lying in there, cold and dead. And the maid pities me because she thinks I passed as sleepless a night as she did.
[A sound of voices is heard outside, in altercation.
Fanny comes in.
Fanny.
Please, sir, Mr. James.
Basil.
[Angrily.] I won't see him.