Though
dead she was all powerful yet, and Nina, from her grave, swayed a
mightier sceptre than Nina living could have done.
"Edith," Richard said, when her agitation had in a measure
subsided, "you have read the letter, now tell me, is it true?
Crazy people do not always see or hear aright. Did Nina? Has
Arthur loved you all the time?"
"Spare Edith," Arthur cried; "And question me. I did love Edith
Hastings, even when I had no right so to do."
"And would you ask her to be your wife if there were no Richard in
the way, and she was free as when you first knew and loved her?"
Arthur knew the blind man was not trifling with him, and he
answered promptly,
"I would, but she will bear me witness that never since Nina died,
have I sought, by word or deed, to influence her decision."
"I believe you," Richard said; "and now, let us compare our love
for her, one with the other. Let us see which is the stronger of
the two. Do you love Edith so much that you would give her to
another, if you knew she loved that other best? If she were
promised to you by a vow she dared not break, would you give her
to me, supposing I was preferred before you?"
Arthur was very white, as he answered,
"That would not be one-half so hard as the yielding her to one
whom she did not love, and, Richard, I have done this.
Pages:
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574