He heard her voice, at first very soft and faint, like a voice from a distance. He had not looked at her since he had struck Vance down.
Slowly he seemed to drag himself from staring at his own handiwork. He turned his head, and her eyes met his.
Once more the soul of that tragic day astonished him, for there was a strange, shining light in Mellis’s eyes. Her lips seemed to tremble; her throat showed proud and triumphant. Here was no shame, no horror, but a something that gloried, an exultation that was near to tears.
He stared at her as though he had been dead and she had called him back to life.
Mellis stretched out her hands as though to crown him.
“Martin Valliant—Martin Valliant.”
Again the note of exultation sounded. He beheld a new and human glory in her eyes.
“God forgive me.”
He dropped on his knees, and covered his face with his right arm.
The woman in her rushed instantly to comfort him.