"
"And because she failed, she hated you; and because she hated you,
something was warped inside you, and you made up your mind she
should be punished along with her brother. You didn't look at it
from a woman's viewpoint. A woman will fight, and kill, to save
one she loves. She tried, perhaps, and failed. The result was that
her brother was killed by the Law. Was not that enough? Was it
fair or honest to destroy her simply because you thought she might
be a partner in her brother's crimes?"
"It is rather strange," he replied, a moment of indecision in his
voice. "McVane, the superintendent, asked me that same question. I
thought he was touched by her beauty. And I'm sorry--very sorry--
that I talked about her when I was sick. I don't want you to think
I am a bad sort--that way. I'm going to think about it. I'm going
over the whole thing again, from the time I manacled Fanchet, and
if I find that I was wrong--and I ever meet Carmin Fanchet again--
I shall not be ashamed to get down on my knees and ask her pardon,
Marie-Anne!"
For the first time he spoke the name which she had given him
permission to use. And she noticed it. He could not help seeing
that--a flashing instant in which the indefinable confession of it
was in her face, as though his use of it had surprised her, or
pleased her, or both.
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