Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 3.djvu/221

210 other, and fight as tígers fight. You can wed him in peace if he kill me; as most likely he will, since he is so far the stronger. You can do this. But you will not."

"I cannot! You know it." He laughed slightly.

"No. I did not know it. Women soon vanquish scruples and tread out memories to gratify a passion. Well, since you hesitate so far, perhaps you will hesitate yet farther. You will not break your oath by betraying me; will you, betray this one man whom you say you 'honour,' linking him, in his good faith and his ignorance, with us?" She gave a sharp, quick breath, as though a blow were struck her.

"God forbid! I have said, all bonds between me and the past are severed for ever."

"I see! You will lock the book, and throw it aside, and your blind worshipper will credit you on your telling that the pages were all pure blanks! And yet—I thought you said you 'honoured' him?" All the haughty, fiery blood in her flushed to life under the subtle sneer.

"I do so; from my soul. Let his name be. It has no place on your lips—yours—that gave the word to murder him."