Page:A strange, sad comedy (IA strangesadcomedy00seawiala).pdf/270

258 "I can think of no other reason."

"Then you must be a very unimaginative person. I sent for you to punish you as you deserve. It won't make life any pleasanter for you to know that you helped me out of it. I have had, for some years, as you know, an affection which the doctors told me any agitation or distress might make fatal. I might have lived for years—but your presence here last night was my death blow. I don't care a rush about living,—in fact, I would rather die than suffer as I do now,—but I would have lived possibly ten years longer, but for you."

"Pray do not say that," cried Madame de Fonblanque, turning pale. "Think what a painful thought to follow one through life."

"That 's why I tell you."

"Pray, pray withdraw it," cried Madame de Fonblanque, in tears. "I implore you."

"You would not withdraw your demand for one hundred thousand francs. If you had—if you had shown me the slightest mercy, there is a way by which I might have rewarded you. I could have borrowed a good deal of money upon some few pictures I have in Europe. But forced under the hammer, they