AC dBooks

"It is understood that the_ Cleopatra _will leave Ravenstown Harbour
to-morrow morning on her way back to Port Raa."_
That was the end of everything. It came upon me like a torrent and swept
all my scruples away.
Such was the purity of the Church--threatening _me_ with its censures
for wishing to follow the purest dictates of my heart, yet taking money
from a woman like Alma, who was bribing it to be blind to her misconduct
and to cover her with its good-will!
My husband too--his infidelities were flagrant and notorious, yet the
Church, through its minister, was flattering his vanity and condoning
his offences!
He was coming back to me, too--this adulterous husband, and when he came
the Church would require that I should keep "true faith" with him,
whatever his conduct, and deny myself the pure love that was now awake
within me.
But no, no, no! Never again! It would be a living death. Accursed be the
power that could doom a woman to a living death!
Perhaps I was no longer sane--morally sane--and if so God and the Church
will forgive me.


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