Murder in Any Degree

e was taken suddenly ill, as the result of exposure to a drenching storm. One afternoon, as he waited by her bedside, talking in

bitterly, every day-that I once asked you, if-if ever for a moment another man came into your life to hide it from me, to tell me a lie. It was a great mistake. I have never ceased to regret it. Our love has been so above all worldly things that there ought not to be the slighte

er and more brilliant from the heightened fever of her cheeks. The

nev

ars ago. Then I had just begun to love you, I feared for the future, for everything. Now I have tested you, and I have never had a doubt. I know

ing-to tell,"

ear to you I expected it. I know why you continue to deny it. It's for my sake, isn't it? I love you for it. But, bel

without turning away her great eyes,

know one way or the other. All these years I have lived in doubt. You see what it means to me.

N

stood-but if you had questioned me I could not have answered truthfully what you did. Th

osed her ey

told-the

feel a great weight taken from my heart, a weight that has been here all these years. I should know that every corner of your soul had been shown to me, nothing withheld. I should know absolutely, Madeleine, believe me, when I tell you this,

over, and held out his hands to h

ng study. She raised her eyes, feebly made the

is head, and his body shook with sobs, while from