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how it fares with us? We cannot be happy Happy?" she continued wildly

"Are any happy now? Or is the world all changed in a night? No, we

could not be happy And at least you will live, Tignonville I have

that to console me"

"Live!" he responded vehemently "I live? I would rather die a thousand

times A thousand times rather than live shao out with a brand on my brow, for every

man to point at me! I would rather die a thousand times!"

"And do you think that I would not?" she answered, shivering "Better,

far better die than--than live with him!"

"Then why not die?"

She stared at him, wide-eyed, and a sudden stillness possessed her

"How?" she whispered "What do you mean?"

"That!" he said As he spoke, he raised his hand and signed to her to

listen A sullen murmur, distant as yet, but borne to the ear on the

fresh rew

in intensity, even while she listened; and yet for a moment she

ony of nerves

overwrought, "will that bell never stop? Will it never stop? Will no

one stop it?"