Part 33 (2/2)
The taunt performed its deadly work For just one instant Lionel was carried off his feet by the luxury of his genuine indignation, and in that one instant he was lost
”As God's my witness, that is false!” he cried wildly ”And you know it
I fought hi, indrawn breath that was horrible to hear
Then silence followed, all three re rim and sardonic, Lionel limp, and overwhelmed by the consciousness of how he had been lured into self-betrayal
At last it was Rosamund who spoke, and her voice shook and shi+fted from key to key despite her strained attempt to keep it level
”What what did you say, Lionel?” she asked Oliver laughed softly
”He was about to add proof of his statement, I think,” he jeered ”He was about to ht, which left those tracks in the snow, thus to prove that I lied--as indeed I did--when I said that he took Peter unawares
”Lionel!” she cried She advanced a step and ain beside her He stood stricken, answering nothing ”Lionel!” she cried again, her voice growing suddenly shrill ”Is this true?”
”Did you not hear hi aat Lionel, her white face distorted into a mask of unutterable pain Oliver stepped towards her, ready to support her, fearing that she was about to fall But with an imperious hand she checked his advance, and by a supreme effort controlled her weakness Yet her knees shook under her, refusing their office She sank down upon the divan and covered her face with her hands
”God pity me!” she moaned, and sat huddled there, shaken with sobs
Lionel started at that heart-broken cry Cowering, he approached her, and Oliver, grim and sardonic, stood back, a spectator of the scene he had precipitated He knew that given rope Lionel would enmesh himself still further There must be explanations that would damn him utterly
Oliver ell content to look on
”Rosamund!” came Lionel's piteous cry ”Rose! Have ein, with his soft hateful laugh
”Listen to hi”
That sneer was a spur to the wretched Lionel ”Rosamund, all that he has told you of it is false IIIt was done in self-defence It is a lie that I took him unawares” His words came wildly now ”We had quarrelled about about a certainin Godolphin Park, he and I He taunted me; he struck me, and finally he drew upon ht defend my life That is the truth I swear to you here on h, sir! Enough!” she broke in, controlling herself to check these protests that but heightened her disgust
”Nay, hearall you h
”It was an accident that I slew him,” Lionel raved on ”I never meant it I never meant to do more than ward and preserve my life But when swords are crossed more may happen than a man intends I take God to witness that his death was an accident resulting from his own fury”
She had checked her sobs, and she considered him noith eyes that were hard and terrible
”Was it also an accident that you left me and all the world in the belief that the deed was your brother's?” she asked hilance ”Did you but kno I loved you--even in those days, in secret--you would perhaps pity me a little,” he whimpered
”Pity?” She leaned forward and seemed to spit the word at him ”'Sdeath, man! Do you sue for pity--you?”
”Yet you reatness of the tereatness of your infamy, of your falseness, of your cowardice, of your baseness Oh!”