Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/212

188 said Kehlmark the first time he found himself alone with her.

"Forgive me, Henry, I can go on no longer. I have presumed too much on my strength. You love nobody but him. The rest of the world has ceased to exist for you. You scarcely accord me a look or a word."

"Well, yes," said he, resolutely, with a certain solemnity, and with the courage of the stoic holding his hand over the flames of the brazier. "Yes, I love him above everything. Outside of him I see for myself no salvation."

"Love another woman; yes, if thou art weary of me, take that Claudie, who longs for thee with all her boiling blood, but—"

"But I swear to thee that this child suffices for me!"

"Oh, it is not possible!"

"I love him, I shall never love but him."

Kehlmark knew that he was dealing a terrible blow to his companion, but he himself was worn out; the weapon with which he struck he turned again into his own wound; he must have passed through such torments that he was in the situation of one who is damned, eager to share his punishment with others.