Let this woman go free as you
have the power to do; strike the chains off her neck and take back the
price that you have paid for her, since she has property which will
discharge it to the last farthing, which property to-day stands in her
name and can be conveyed to you. Then, go search the Scriptures and see
if you can find no message in them. If you find it, well and good, then
take her with a clean heart and be happy. If you find it not, well and
good, then leave her with a clean heart and be sorrowful, for so it is
decreed. Only in this matter do not dare to be double-minded, lest the
last evil overtake you and her, and your children and hers. Now I have
done, and, my lord Marcus, be so good as to signify your pleasure to
your slave, Pearl-Maiden, and your servant, Nehushta the Libyan."
Marcus began to walk up and down the room, out of the light into the
shadow, out of the shadow into the light. Presently he halted, and the
two women watching saw that his face was drawn and ashen, like the face
of an old man.
"My pleasure," he said vacantly, "--that is a strange word on my lips
to-night, is it not? Well, Nehushta, you have the best of the argument.
All you say is quite true, if a little over-coloured.
Pages:
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473