Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 3.djvu/150

Rh "I have but the fear that, if I look ever on his face again, I shall turn murderer like him."

A shudder passed over her.

"Nay! why not revenge yourself on me? I was his associate. How can you know I was not his accomplice?"

"How! Have I not looked into your eyes?"

The infinite trust that the reply breathed was rather in the tone than in the words.

"Well! What do a woman's eyes ever do but lie? And yet look, look for ever, if you will, so that you learn from them that my heart is truth, but that my past is—shame!" He stood beside her, silent; his faith would not leave nor his love forsake her, but the abyss of a heavy guilt yawned between them, the barrier of a pitiless silence severed them.

Yet—passion and faith were strong in him; stronger than wisdom, stronger than vengeance. He stooped and laid his lips upon her brow.

"The shadow of others' shame may darken you; no sháme of yours is on you. Whatever you are—be mine!" The sea stretched outward, league on league of still grey water, with no colour on it in the young hours of the dawn, no life, save the movement here