"You thought I murdered him, and still you shielded me, and gave me chance to live, and to repent, and know love's highest sweetness.

You thought I murdered him, and yet your soul had mercy.

Now do I believe in God, for only a God could make a heart so noble." "And you--did not--" cried out Anne, and raised upon her elbow, her breast panting, but her eyes growing wide with light as from stars from heaven.

"Oh, sister love--thanks be to Christ who died!" The duchess rose, and stood up tall and great, her arms out-thrown.
"I think 'twas God Himself who did it," she said, "though 'twas I who struck the blow.

He drove me mad and blind, he tortured me, and thrust to my heart's core.