Chapter Sixteen
The Thane’s original intention had been to allow Gustav his freedom, secure in the knowledge that he would not do anything to endanger his wife, imprisoned by Lady Crawdor, but enabling him to visit his bondsmen and enlist them for the Thane’s cause. However, the Thane soon began to reconsider this position. He did not know for sure just how strong was the tie between husband and wife. Could Gustav be relied on, even though his wife was in danger? And so he decided to keep Gustav close. He knew, or guessed, that Lady Crawdor was already engaged in the process of corrupting Gwendolen, inducing that pure and innocent girl not only to abandon fidelity to her husband but also to immerse herself in perverse and forbidden pleasures of the flesh, such as Lady Crawdor particularly
