I would have yielded utterly to him then if he had let me, but he
was panic-stricken. He spoke of you, he apologized; I never saw a
man in more misery. When I had time to realize the truth I tried
to fight it off. But it was no use, and at last I gave up. After
that I put myself in his way deliberately. I offered him
opportunities continually, but he never seemed to see them. That
day in the jungle I was desperate at his indifference, and I drove
the horses away when he wasn't looking. I struck them with my
crop--and I actually threw myself at him as boldly as I could,
regardless of consequences. But he was like ice; he was speaking
of you when you came. It has always been the same. When I
discovered that he cared for that girl--well, if you overheard you
must know. I frightened Garavel into dismissing him, and I set out
to break him, just to show him that he needed me. To-night I
offered to divorce you and make him all and more than I've made
you, but he scorned me. That's the truth, Stephen. If we believed
in oaths, I would swear it."
No one who knew the woman could have disbelieved her, and to the
husband who knew her every mental and moral trait this bald,
hopeless confession came as a crushing anti-climax to his great
effort.
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