Кінець рабства

           IwasnotfrankwithMassy—no,notaltogether.Iknewhetookmeforawealthysailorfool,andIlethim.Iwantedtokeepupmyimportance—becausetherewaspoorIvyawaythere—mydaughter.WhatdidIwanttotradeonhismiseryfor?Ididtradeonit—forher.Andnow,whatmercycouldIexpectfromhim?Hewouldtradeonmineifheknewit.Hewouldhunttheoldfraudout,andsticktothemoneyforayear.Ivy’smoney.AndIhaven’tkeptapennyformyself.HowamIgoingtoliveforayear.Ayear!Inayeartherewillbenosunintheskyforherfather.”

           Hisdeepvoicecameout,awfullyveiled,asthoughhehadbeenoverwhelmedbytheearthofalandslide,andtalkingtoyouofthethoughtsthathauntthedeadintheirgraves.AcoldshudderrandownMr.VanWyk’sback.

           “Andhowlongisitsinceyouhave...?”hebegan.

           “ItwasalongtimebeforeIcouldbringmyselftobelieveinthis—thisvisitation.”CaptainWhalleyspokewithgloomypatiencefromunderhishand.

           Hehadnotthoughthehaddeservedit.Hehadbegunbydeceivinghimselffromdaytoday,fromweektoweek.HehadtheSerangathandthere—anoldservant.Itcameongradually,andwhenhecouldnolongerdeceivehimself...

           Hisvoicediedoutalmost.

           “RatherthangiveherupIsetmyselftodeceiveyouall.”

           “It’sincredible,”whisperedMr.VanWyk.CaptainWhalley’sappallingmurmurflowedon.

           “NoteventhesignofGod’sangercouldmakemeforgether.HowcouldIforsakemychild,feelingmyvigorallthetime—thebloodwarmwithinme?Warmasyours.