"My dear Madaline," he said, "you must not overlook what the honor of my
race demands. I have my own ideas of what is due to my ancestors; and I
cannot think that I have sinned by broken vows. I vowed to love you--so
I do, my darling, ten thousand times better than anything else on earth.
I vowed to be true and faithful to you--so I am, for I would not ever
look at another woman's face. I vowed to protect you and to shield
you--so I do, my darling; I have surrounded you with luxury and ease."
What could she reply--what urge or plead?
"So, in the eyes of Heaven, my wife, I cannot think I am wronging you."
"Then," she said, humbly, "my coming here, my pleading, is in vain."
"Not in vain, my darling. Even the sight of you for a few minutes has
been like a glimpse of Elysium."
"And I must return," she said, "as I came--with my love thrown back, my
prayers unanswered, my sorrow redoubled."
She hid her face in her hands and wept aloud. Presently she bent
forward.
"Norman," she said, in a low whisper, "my darling, I appeal to you for
my own sake. I love you so dearly that I cannot live away from you--it
is a living death.
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