Her answer came with direct simplicity, as though she was simply stating a fact, ‘Because if I find in myself, and I shall watch keenly for it, a sign of harm to any that I love, I shall die!’
‘You would not kill yourself?’ he asked, hoarsely.
‘I would. If there were no friend who loved me, who would save me such a pain, and so desperate an effort!’ She looked at him meaningly as she spoke.
He was sitting down, but now he rose and came close to her and put his hand on her head as he said solemnly. ‘My child, there is such an one if it were for your good. For myself I could hold it in my account with God to find such an euthanasia for you, even at this moment if it were best. Nay,
were it safe! But my child …’
For a moment he seemed choked, and a great sob rose in his throat. He gulpe
