She may find it even yet.'
'That is not likely now. I have performed my part of the compact, and
I expect you to perform yours.'
'You did not use all means to save my Winifred from worse than
death--from madness; you did not use all means to save me from dying
of self-murder or of a broken heart; and the compact is broken.
Whether or not I could have kept my faith with you by breaking troth
with her, it is you who have set me free. Mother,' I said, fiercely,
'in such a compact it must be the letter of the bond.'
'Mean subterfuge, unworthy of your descent,' said my mother quietly,
but with one of those looks of hers that used to frighten me once.
'No, no, mother; you have not kept the letter of the bond, and I am
free. You did _not_ take the fullest and best means to save Winifred.
Your compact was to save her from the risk I told you of. And,
mother, mother, listen to me!' I cried, in a state of crazy
excitement now: 'in the darkest moment of my life, when I was
prostrate and helpless, you were pitiless as Pride. Listen, mother:
Winifred Wynne shall be mine.
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