Chapter NineEverything was very dark.
Somewhere far away in a long endless tunnel a woman was crying aloud, her voice weak and piteous but persistent.
‘Help me – Oh, God help me – send him to save me – I am to be hanged by the neck until I am dead – hanged by the neck – they are going to whip me – I must not cry – I must be brave as he would be brave. I must not scream – they will whip me until the – blood flows – Oh, God save me – Jupiter – Lord Jupiter!
‘He is angry with me – he will not come – how could he think such things of me – when I love him – I love him – he is angry – he does not understand. Save me! – they are clutching at me – I am afraid of their hands – save me – save me – ’
“You are safe!” a deep voice was saying. “Do you hear me, Syringa, you are safe.”
“He does not –
