It was as that abominable governess had
said. She was insignificant, contemptible. Nobody could love her.
Humiliation clung to her like a cold shroud--never to be shaken off,
unwarmed by this madness of generosity.
"Yes. Here. Your home. I can't give it to you and go away, but it is
big enough for us two. You need not be afraid. If you say so I shall
not even look at you. Remember that grey head of which you have been
thinking night and day. Where is it going to rest? Where else if not
here, where nothing evil can touch it. Don't you understand that I won't
let you buy shelter from me at the cost of your very soul. I won't. You
are too much part of me. I have found myself since I came upon you and I
would rather sell my own soul to the devil than let you go out of my
keeping. But I must have the right."
He went away brusquely to shut the door leading on deck and came back the
whole length of the cabin repeating:
"I must have the legal right. Are you ashamed of letting people think
you are my wife?"
He opened his arms as if to clasp her to his breast but mastered the
impulse and shook his clenched hands at her, repeating: "I must have the
right if only for your father's sake.
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