Page:The Prime Minister by Hall Caine.djvu/153

Rh any sin, cover ourselves with infamy, become the pariahs and lepers of the earth to uphold the throne of this tyrant, this criminal.  [Indignantly.] Margaret!  Millions of mothers must lose their sons, millions of wives must lose their husbands, and millions of little children must lose their fathers; the whole world must weep and bleed to death; but what matter—[Laughing bitterly]—what matter if it adds to his power and glory?  Margaret!  My father, too—my poor, dear father—must be threatened—intimidated—starved——  Margaret!

 [In a paroxysm of passion.] And now Otto—Otto must commit this crime before God and man; and I must help him! Or if I don't, if I refuse, you and I and he and everybody. . . [Facing the portrait.] The devil ! The cruel, merciless, heartless devil ! May the curse of every mother and wife and sister in the world follow him to his grave! [Snatching up ink-pot from table.] Damn him! Damn him! Damn him! [She flings the ink-pot at the portrait, smashing the glass, which falls with a crash.

CURTAIN Rh