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126ARIADNE.there was a sort of shame in his voice, and hiseyelids fell.Icursedhim.Heaven be merciful to me a sinner. Icalleddown onhis head every blight and vengeance ofheaven, allill and wretchedness and despair thathfe can everheap on those whom God and manforsake.Icursed himinhis lyingdown and hisuprising, inhismanhood and his age;Icursedall offspring thatmight be begottenby him, andall womenthat his love might light on;Icursedhim as in the Scriptures holy men curse thechildren of hell.Iwas' wrong, and such curses should blisterthe lips that utter them, being all weak and ateach other's mercy, and all adrifthi an inexplicablemystery of existence, as we are. ButIwas beside myself;Ithought only of her;Isaw only in him the cruel brutality of Love,which in his passion-flower hides an asj), andwith his kiss upon the hps gives death.He stood tranquil and unmoved under the furyof my words, and he showed no resentment; heshuddered ahttle once,that wasall. He didnot