But had I strength to speak that word?
I had expected to; I had seen my duty clearly enough before the sitting of the grand jury.

But now that Arthur was indicted--now that it was an accepted fact that he would have to stand trial instead of myself, I was conscious of such a recoil from my contemplated action that I lost all confidence in myself and my stoical adherence to what I considered the claims of justice.
Standing in the cemetery grounds with my eyes upon the snow-covered mound beneath which lay the doubly injured Adelaide, I had it out with myself, for good and all.
I trusted Arthur; I distrusted Carmel.

But she had claims to consideration, which he lacked.

She was a woman.

Her fall would mean infinitely more to her than any disgrace to him.