A new ardor burned in me.

"No!" I said to myself.

"Neither relations nor friends shall prevail on me to falter and fail in my husband's cause.

The assertion of his innocence is the work of my life; I will begin it to-night." I drew down the blind and lighted the candles.

In the quiet night, alone and unaided, I took my first step on the toilsome and terrible journey that lay before me.