Page:Des Grieux, The Prelude to Teleny.djvu/80

 course she was strong; still when she had not seen him the whole of the livelong day, would she not welcome him at night?

Her heart—or rather her innermost conviction-contradicted the lie uttered by her lips.

Moreover, if even she did oppose him on the morrow, would she do so when love waxed stronger by absence, and lust was fanned by abstinence?

And again: having given him her virginity, being probably with child.by him, of what use was resistance, why not have her fill of pleasure with him?

What was she then to do, where was she to seek for help?

If she went to confess, would not the priest advise her what to do?

What advice, what help was there left to her?

If the church remitted her sin, would the world absolve her.

No she had lived and loved, she had sinned and fallen so low, that she was lost for ever.

The drop of water in the dust might be upheaved from the mud by the heat of the