Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 2.djvu/196

182 I must tell you all—now. I've taken the act on myself."

She had stopped short, bewildered. "How have you taken it?"

"To meet whatever may come."

She turned as white as ashes. "You mean you've accused yourself?"

"Any one may accuse me. Whom is it more natural to accuse? What had she to gain? My own motive is flagrant. There it is," said Tony.

Jean withered beneath this new stroke. "You'll say you did it?"

"I'll say I did it."

Her face grew old with terror. "You'll lie? You'll perjure yourself?"

"I'll say I did it for you."

She suddenly turned crimson. "Then what do you think I'll say?"

Tony coldly considered. "Whatever you say will tell against me."

"Against you?"

"If the crime was committed for you."

"'For' me?" she echoed again.

"To enable us to marry."