Moths by Ouida — page 264: what you’re looking at

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

wv 260 ‘MOTHS. Vere cared little for any of these things; but the place was really to her a sanctuary, as no one ever disturbed her there; even Zouroff never had presumed to enter it; and the painted casements, when they were opened, showed her the green plain, and, beyond the plain, the beautiful waters of the Baltic. Here she could be tranquil now and then, and try and give her thoughts to her old friends, the Latin writers, or read the verse of George Herbert, or the prose of Thomas a Kempis, and pray for force to bear the life she led. | But to-night she could not pray. | She was one of those who are less strong for the woes of others than for their own. She leaned her face upon her arms, and only wondered—won- dered—wondered—why men were so cruel, and God so deaf. It was nearly two in the morning; through the painted panes the stars were shining; beyond the plain there was the silver of the dawn. | Suddenly a heavy step trod on the marbles of the pavement. For the first time since their marriage, her husband entered the lace of prayer.. She turned, and half rose in astonishment, and ae heart grew sick; she was not safe from him even here. He marked the instinctof aversion, and hated her for it: the time was gone by when it allured and enchained him. ‘‘ Hxcuse me for my entrance here,” he said, with that courtesy to which the presence of his wife always compelled him, despite himself. ‘‘I am exceedingly annoyed, compromised, disgusted. You were in Molv to-day?” ‘*'Yes; I rode there. I went to see your mother’s hospital.” She had quite risen, and stood, with one hand on the altar rail, looking at him. ‘*T hear that you saw those prisoners; that you spoke to them; that you made a scene, a scandal; that you gave one of the women your handkerchief; that you promised them all kinds of impossible follies. Beso good as to tell me what happened.” ; ‘¢ ‘Who spies upon me?” said Vera, with the color rising to her ace. ‘Spies! Noone. If you choose to exhibit yourself in a pub- lic street, a hundred people may well see you. What did hap- pen? Answer me.” . This happened. I met the prisoners. Ido not believe any of them are guilty of the attempt to assassinate General Marco- loff. They are all very young, several were girls; one of the girls broke from the guards, and threw herself before me, sob- bing and begging my help. Her arm was cut and bleeding, I suppose in fastening the chains; I took my handkerchief and bound it up; I promised her tosupport her mother, who is old and infirm. Ispoke to them all and bade them try and bear their fate calmly. I wept with them, that I confess; but I was not alone: there were not many dry eyes in Moly. I believe all these young people to be quite innocent. I believe if the Em- peror saw the things that are done in his name, he would not sanction them. That is all Ihave to tell you. It has haunted me all the evening, It is horrible that such tyrannies should be, \ \ -* at ey - ; iy , : ; * J iy) ' 1 oJ ¥\ fr a | +4" A e4 \ ’ “comicbooks Laie |