"No, not if you do as I tell you; and when I have told you how
much cause I have to abhor him, you will agree with me that
killing him will be no murder! Oh, if there is One above who
rules this world, and will judge us all, why, why does He permit
such monsters to live?"
"Because He is more merciful than his creatures," replied Sir
Norman, with calm reverence, - though His avenging hand is heavy
on this doomed city. But, madame, time is on the wing, and the
headsman will be here before your story is told."
"Ah, that story! How am I to tell it, I wonder, two words will
comprise it all - sin and misery - misery and sin! For, buried
alive here, as I am - buried alive, as I've always been - I know
what both words mean; they have been branded on heart and brain
in letters of fire. And that horrible monstrosity is the cause
of all - that loathsome, misshapen, hideous abortion has banned
and cursed my whole life! He is my first recollection. As far
back as I can look through the dim eye of childhood's years, that
horrible face, that gnarled and twisted trunk, those devilish
eyes glare at me like the eyes and face of a wild beast.
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