She, with a quick vague fear awakening in her eyes, held herself from
me.
"Why look at me like that?" she cried. "I--I cannot bear it. Let us
part now--at once. I must return, or my absence will be known and I
shall be questioned."
I do not know what I said in answer. All madness of reproach that ever
man's tongue could frame left my lips in those blind cruel moments. All
excuse for her; all goodness in her I forgot! Ah! God forgive me, I
forgot! She had deceived me; that was all I knew, or cared to know.
In that mad moment all the pride in me, fanned by the wind of jealousy,
flamed afresh, and burned up love. In that sudden passion of love and
hate my brain had gone.
Yet she stood motionless, pale as death, and trembling, her eyes filled
with the light of unshed tears.