Never should it be said that her husband had needed a friend to apologize for him.
As these convictions grew in clearness she found herself brought suddenly and sharply to face the issue.

With a swift contraction of the heart she realized that she must send her husband on this perilous duty.
Ah! Could she do it?
It was as if a cold hand were steadily squeezing drop by drop the life-blood from her heart.

In contrast, and as if with one flash of light, the long happy days of the last six months passed before her mind.

How could she give him up?
Her breathing came in short gasps, her lips became dry, her eyes fixed and staring.

She was fighting for what was dearer to her than life.