She spoke of herself as erstwhile
your betrothed; no more than that.'
As he uttered these words, the priest rose. He had an uneasy look,
as if he feared that infirmity of will and fondness for gossip had
betrayed him into some neglect of spiritual obligation.
'It is better,' he said, 'that we should converse no more. I know
not what your purposes may be, nor do they concern me I remain here
to pray by the dead, and I shall despatch a messenger to my brother
presbyter, that we may prepare for the burial. Remember,' he raised
his head, and his voice struck a deeper note, 'that the guilt of
blood is upon you, and that no plea of earthly passion will avail
before the Almighty Judge. Behold your hand--even so, but far more
deeply have you stained your soul.'
Basil scarce heard. Numbness had crept over him again; he stared at
the doorway by which the priest re-entered the house, and only after
some minutes recalled enough of the old man's last words to look
upon his defiled hand. Then he called aloud, summoning any slave who
might hear him, and when the doorkeeper came timidly from a recess
where he had been skulking, bade him bring water.
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