[jdbl-devel] by way of the arbor, and Rut

[Rodriguel B. <nu...@le...>]

Burning, I give you my pledge to be from this day
a stranger to your sweet wife. And now will you do something for me,
to prove that your soul is sound and is going to stay sound? It shall
be the least I can ask in good faith to the world we live in."
"What is it?" asked Arthur. There was no capitulation in his face or
his voice. "I want you to make to Isabel a full retraction and
explanation of every falsehood you have uttered to her or to me in
this matter." Leonard was pale again; Arthur burned red a moment, and
then turned paler than Leonard. "You fiend!" gasped the husband. "I am
to exalt you, and abase myself, to her?" "No.

No, Arthur. Women are strange;
every chance is that in her eyes I shall be abased." The
speaker went whiter than ever.

"But be that as it may,
you shall have lifted your soul out of the mire. You must do it,
Arthur; don't you see you must?" Arthur

sank into the chair at his side. He seemed to have guessed

what Leonard was keeping