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he spoke

"You have done that?" he whispered; "you have done that?"

"Yes," she answered, shuddering "God forgive me! I have done that! I

had to do that, or--"

"And is it too late--to undo it?"

"It is too late" A sob choked her voice

Tears--tears incredible, unnatural--welled froishly down his harsh cheek to the edge of

his beard

"I would have gone," he muttered "If you had spoken, I would have

spared you this"

"I know," she answered unsteadily; "the men told me"

"And yet--"

"It was just And you are my husband," she replied "More, I am the

captive of your sword, and as you spared th, my lord, I

spared you in your weakness"