Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 3.djvu/262

Rh you first held them to be patriots, and because your bond was sacred to you even when sworn to worthless men. Do I think aright!"

She heard in silence; her soul went out in honour and adoratíon to this man, who, from the truth and the virtue of his own heart, judged and divined ber life thus rightly, despite all weight of circumstance, all darkness of calumny. But she knew that to leave him to believe this was to bind her to him for evermore. Sbe knew that he must believe else than this ere he would be forced from allegiance to her. "You think nobly, because you think by the light of your own heart," she said, in her teeth. "But it is not this that you were warned to think to-day! Your counsellor was nearer right. Believe him.

"Were you what he said, you would not tell me that. I judge you thus by the light of your own nature. You speak to me of divorce—of dishonour. You know the coward who attempted my life, and will not render him up to my justice. These are bítter things; yet I can see day through them. It may be that you have fallen, amongst much guilt, and yet are unstained amidst corruption. It may be that you shield a crime, because to expose it would