"Let me hear no more of this, Sergius!" she said. "You were very good
to me when I was a castaway child, and I do not forget it. But you must
not urge a claim upon me to which I cannot respond. I have given some
of the best years of my life to assist your work, to win you your
followers,--and to advance what I have always recognised as an exalted,
though impossible creed--but now, for the rest of the time left to me,
I must have my own way!"
He sprang up suddenly and confronted her.
"My God!" he cried. "Is it possible you do not understand! All my work
--all my plans--all my scheming and plotting has been for you--to make
you happy! To give you high place and power! Without you, what do I
care for the world? What do I care whether men are rich or poor--
whether they starve or die! It is you I want to serve--you! It is for
your sake I have desired to win honour and position. Have pity on me,
Lotys! Have pity! I have seen you grow up to womanhood--I have loved
every inch of your stature--every hair of the gold on your head--every
glance of your eyes--every bright flash of your intelligent spirit! Oh,
I have loved you, and love you, Lotys, as no man ever loved woman!
Everything I have attempted--everything I have done, has been that you
might think me worthier of love. For the Country and the People I care
nothing--nothing! I only care for you!"
She rose, holding the sleeping child to her like a shield.
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