"
"And I put the matter to him in my letter somewhat in the same light,
though in a more business-like point of view," returned Mr. Carr. "There
was no entreaty in mine. I left compassion, whether for you or others,
out of the argument; and said to him, what will you gain by exposure, and
how will you reconcile it to your conscience to inflict on innocent
persons the torture exposure must bring?"
"I shall breathe freely now," said Hartledon, with a sigh of relief."
If that man gives his word not to stir in the matter, not to take
proceedings against me; in short, to bury what he knows in secrecy and
silence, as he has hitherto done; it will be all I can hope for."
Mr. Carr lifted his eyebrows.
"I perceive what you think: that the fact remains. Carr, I know it as
well as you; I know that _nothing_ can alter it. Don't you see that
remorse is ever present with me? driving me mad? killing me by inches
with its pain?"
"Do you know what I should be tempted to do, were the case mine?"
"Well?"
"Tell my wife."
"Carr!"
"I almost think I should; I am not quite sure. Should the truth ever come
to her--"
"But I trust it never will come to her," interrupted Hartledon, his face
growing hot.
"It's a delicate point to argue," acknowledged Mr. Carr, "and I cannot
hope to bring you into my way of looking at it. Had you married Miss
Ashton, it appears to me that you would have no resource but to tell
her: the very fact of being bound to you would kill a religious,
high-principled woman.
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