Page:The Prime Minister by Hall Caine.djvu/117

Rh  [With withering scorn.] Your word of honour!  [Catching her breath.] Listen to me, sir. I came here to do something criminal, and I've failed. Very well, let me suffer for it. But don't draw innocent people into the consequences of my conduct.  It's you that have drawn them into it. And now they must share your punishment.  You can't mean it. It would be too awful. I should die in agony—in torture.  You should have thought of that before, my girl.  There's Freda, she's as innocent of this as a babe unborn. She didn't want me to come here in her place, but I persuaded her. And then there's Otto. He's a dear, good boy, but he's hot and headstrong, and I've had to mother him since mother died. Freda and Otto expect to be married after this cruel war is over. You should see how happy they are. They are like children in their happiness. And if I had to think that I had been the means——