To a woman distracted and wearied
it should have offered some sort of rest. To her who now gazed
upon it the sight afforded only horror. This then was the place.
Here was to be her trial. This was the battle-ground.
Dunwody lingered, hoping to hear some word of satisfaction.
"The hills are beautiful, the trees are beautiful, and the sky,"
she said, at length. "What God has done here is beautiful. But
God Himself is gone."
Rage filled him suddenly. "At any rate, this is what I have and
all I have," he said. "Like it, woman, or by that God! hate it!
Here you are, and here you stay, until--until I die or until God
returns. You are the only woman in it for me when you step into
that house there. You are its mistress. I rule here. But what
you want shall be yours at any time you want it. You can think of
nothing in the world that shall not be brought to you when you ask
for it. My servants are yours. Choose from them as many as you
like."
"Slaves for your slave? You are full of kindness indeed! But I
shall never be what you delicately call the mistress of Tallwoods.
Pages:
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160