And it was thus that
Dacres saw his child-angel.
A prisoner, turning toward him this appeal! What was the cause, and
what did the Italian want of this innocent child? Such was his
thought. What could his fiend of a wife gain by the betrayal of that
angelic being? Was it possible that even her demon soul could compass
iniquity like this? He had thought that he had fathomed her capacity
for malignant wickedness; but the presence here of the child-angel in
the power of these miscreants showed him that this capacity was indeed
unfathomable. At this sudden revelation of sin so enormous his very
soul turned sick with horror.
He watched, and still looked with an anxiety that was increasing to
positive pain.
And now, after one brief glance, Minnie drew back into the room. There
was nothing more to be seen for some time, but at last another figure
appeared.
He expected this; he was waiting for it; he was sure of it; yet deep
down in the bottom of his heart there was a hope that it might not be
so, that his suspicions, in this case at least, might be unfounded.
But now the proof came; it was made manifest here before his eyes, and
in the light of day.
In spite of himself a low groan escaped him. He buried his face in his
hands and shut out the sight. Then suddenly he raised his head again
and stared, as though in this face there was an irresistible
fascination by which a spell was thrown over him.
It was the face of Mrs. Willoughby--youthful, beautiful, and touching
in its tender grace.
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