A Heart's Bitterness — page 254: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

246 A HEART’S BITTERNESS. Early in the morning Violet stood once more at the door - of her husband’s room. gee ““May I come in, Norman?’ said the soft, sweet voice. And when he answered ‘‘yes” she entered. ‘‘ Norman,” she said, ‘‘ I have come to beg you to send a telegram to Mr. Storms, saying that you will not prosecute _those—unhappy people. Lord Keith said they were given over to the police last night.” «They deserve it,” said Leigh, sullenly. «But we are often spared our deserts, Norman,” said Violet, with a winning look. ‘Think how great mercy and good fortune have come lately to us; let us forgive these our enemies their trespasses, else how could we say our prayers?” ‘And if we let them go, how can we sleep in peace?” ‘* Could you not make a condition that they leave the coun- try, Norman? ‘I'he man wants to go to his sheep-farm, of course. For that poor, hot-headed Helen, let us send her : them 20. aline. to America.” ‘‘ Better transport her to New Guinea,” said Leigh, roughly, turning his back. “Oh, Norman! Consider that this woman loved you; and ae covers a multitude of sins.’ ‘¢ And causes another multitude. Violet, let me alone!” «Norman, I feel so sorr y: for her. She is unfortunate.” _ «She hates you heartily.” nN ever mind that. I don’t. Do telegraph, saying, ‘Let ‘‘ Hanging is too good for them!” “Oh, Norman, think; deliberately, for your ends, you roused her love, and so you share her fault. Do forgive, and consider, if you will not pardon for mercy’s sake, if you rosecute, this whole affair must come out; and if you let them go, the whole will be forgotten in a few months.” «There is much in that,” said Leigh, slowly. Violet snatched a card from the dressing-table, and wrote ‘Do let me send this: | _ «Mr. Storms—I refuse to prosecute. Lereu.’” “Send it, and leave me in peace!” shouted Leigh, hiding his head under the counterpane. Eomichoo S) (E(0)