Access Online - The European Library

214 ARIADNE." "Iloved her: yes," he resumed; Ishouldhave givenher peace, honour,my name, such asit is, allthat — one can give: that is whyIhavesome right to speak to you. Bear with me.Iwoulcl have killed you as her father, were heliving, woulcl have done; let me speak toyou as her father could not do.Iamnomoralist.Iwill read you no homily. Iwant but to tellyou the truth asIknow it. She loves you withso great alove thatIthink the earth never heldone like it. Honest men, and lovers that arefaithful, break their hearts — in vain for suchpassion as that; and you! nay, bear with me.You must know very well that what you did wasthe act of a coward — since she was defenceless,and had no godbut you."Hilarion's serene eyeslit with sudden fire, buthe looked down, and he remained mute." There is no one to tell you all that she hassuffered, nor how absolutely she forgives," saidMaryx." That is why Ihave come to tell you.It is just to her that you should know."Then he told to Hilarion all that he knewhimself: from the time that she had lost her