"
"Let me quietly bring you a little wine, then, from my own room?"
She bowed her assent.
The stimulant soon revived her. He stood at her side waiting with
intense anxiety till she should speak. At last she rose slowly
and weakly, saying in a low tone:
"Mr. Van Berg, I suppose I have now reached the lowest depth in
your estimation, but I cannot help it. I admit that I was in an
awful and desperate mood, and was about to act accordingly. There
is no use of trying to hid anything from you. But a good man spoke
kindly to me to-night, and the black spell is broken. There is
the drug I purchased," and she handed him the phial of laudanum.
"You many now dismiss all fears. I will explain further another
time if you care to hear. Please let me go in by myself."
"Pardon me for saying, no," he answered, gently. "I think I am
best able to-night to judge of what is right. You must go in at
the main entrance, and on my arm. Henceforward I shall treat you
with respect, and I intend that all others shall also."
With a low sob, she said, impulsively: "Oh, Mr. Van Berg, forgive
me! but that was my motive. I meant to compel your respect; and
I thought there was no other way.
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