Her father's only answer was to draw his hands through his white hair, and wring them with a shriek of anguish.
"It could not be otherwise," said the prisoner.
"All things have worked together as they have fallen out.
It was the always-vain endeavour to discharge my poor mother's trust that first brought my fatal presence near you.
Good could never come of such evil, a happier end was not in nature to so unhappy a beginning.
Be comforted, and forgive me.
Heaven bless you!"
As he was drawn away, his wife released him, and stood looking after him with her hands touching one another in the attitude of prayer, and with a radiant look upon her face, in which there was even a comforting smile.
As he went out at the prisoners' door, she turned, laid her head lovingly on her father's breast, tried to speak to him, and fell at his feet.
Original