North, paralysed no less by the suddenness of the attack than by thewords with which it was accompanied, let fall his cloak, and stoodtrembling before the prophetic accusation of the man whose curses he hadcome to earn.
"I was dreaming," said Rufus Dawes. "A terrible dream! But it has passednow. The message--you have brought me a message, have you not? Why--whatails you? You are pale--your knees tremble. Did my violence----?"
North recovered himself with a great effort. "It is nothing. Let ustalk, for my time is short. You have thought me a good man--one blessedof God, one consecrated to a holy service; a man honest, pure, andtruthful. I have returned to tell you the truth. I am none of thesethings." Rufus Dawes sat staring, unable to comprehend this madness."I told you that the woman you loved--for you do love her--sent you amessage of forgiveness. I lied."
"What!"
"I never told her of your confession. I never mentioned your name toher."
"And she will go without knowing--Oh, Mr. North, what have you done?"
"Wrecked my own soul!" cried North, wildly, stung by the reproachfulagony of the tone. "Do not cling to me. My task is done. You will hateme now. That is my wish--I merit it. Let me go, I say. I shall be toolate."
"Too late! For what?" He looked at the cloak--through the open windowcame the voices of the men in the boat--the memory of the rose, of thescene in the prison, flashed across him, and he understood it all.
"Great Heaven, you go together!"
"Let me go," repeated North, in a hoarse voice.
Rufus Dawes stepped between him and the door. "No, madman, I will notlet you go, to do this great wrong, to kill this innocent young soul,who--God help her--loves you!" North, confounded at this sudden reversalof their position towards each other, crouched bewildered against thewall. "I say you shall not go! You shall not destroy your own soul andhers! You love her! So do I! and my love is mightier than yours, for itshall save her!"
"In God's name--" cried the unhappy priest, striving to stop his ears.
"Ay, in God's name! In the name of that God whom in my torments I hadforgotten! In the name of that God whom you taught me to remember! ThatGod who sent you to save me from despair, gives me strength to save youin my turn! Oh, Mr. North--my teacher--my friend--my brother--by thesweet hope of mercy which you preached to me, be merciful to this erringwoman!"
North lifted agonized eyes. "But I love her! Love her, do you hear? Whatdo you know of love?"
"Love!" cried Rufus Dawes, his pale face radiant. "Love! Oh, it is youwho do not know it. Love is the sacrifice of self, the death of alldesire that is not for another's good. Love is Godlike! You love?--no,no, your love is selfishness, and will end in shame! Listen, I will tellyou the history of such a love as yours."
North, enthralled by the other's overmastering will, fell backtrembling.
"I will tell you the secret of my life, the reason why I am here. Comecloser."
* * * * *
CHAPTER XV. THE DISCOVERY.
For the Term of His Natural Life Page 91
