We were both silent for a moment. Then I said—
“Which proposal means that you are prepared to sacrifice your daughter for the preservation of your own secret, eh?”
She did reply, but bowed her head in humiliation.
“Madam,” I said severely, “I admit I love Wanda, but your proposition is absolutely loathsome.”
“Think—think—she cares for you! Besides, if you had money you would no longer be compelled to work for an existence.”
“Impossible,” I replied decisively.
“Ah, don’t say that!” she cried hoarsely, as, with a sudden impulse, she threw herself upon her knees before me. “See! I implore you for mercy. God knows I have tried to atone and do my duty, but I yielded to temptation, and this is my punishment!”
Drawing a long breath, she burst into tears.
“You—you do not know all, Anton Prèhznev, or you would find the circumstances extenuating,” she sobbed bitterly. “I—I confess it was I who poisoned Ivan! He—he was my son!”
“Your son?”