University of Virginia Library

`O, spare her—spare her, Clara, whatever become of
me She is not to blame. I alone have done it. Poor
Lucia—my heart bleeds for her. I am a villain. I
obey—I banish myself forever. Keep the thing a secret
—and—I will obey.—No, no, it was not her fault.
No woman, not even Clara herself could have escaped
the snare—could—'

(Clara's brow contracted with haughty contempt)—

`could have escaped me. She was utterly in my power,
without knowing it—'