me so
much that you would give your very existence if it could make me happy.
Now, I ask you for nothing half so great as that; I ask you to submit to
a trifling inconvenience, and, so far as you are personally concerned,
to waive a small prejudice for my sake, or, perhaps I had better say, to
give in to my folly. Can't you do as much as that for me, Jane?"

"Ernest," she answered hoarsely, "if you asked anything else of me in
the world I would do it--yes, anything you can think of--but this I
can't do and won't do."

"In God's name, why not?" he cried.

"Because to do it would be to declare my father a quack and a liar, and
to show that I, his daughter, from whom if from anybody he has a right
to expect faith and support, have no belief in him and the doctrine that
he has taught for twenty years. That is the truth, and it is cruel of
you to make me say it."

Ernest Merchison ground his teeth, understanding that in face of this
woman's blind fidelity all argument and appeal were helpless. Then in
his love and despair he formed a desperate resolve. Yes, he was very
strong, and he thought that he could do it.

Catching her suddenly round the waist he thrust her into a cottage
armchair which stood by, and, despite her struggles, began to cut at the
sleeve of her dress with the lancet in his hand. But soon he realised
that the task was hopeless.

"Ernest Merchison," she said, as she escaped from him with blazing eyes
and catching breath, "you have done what I will never forgive. Go your
own way in life and I will go mine."

"----To _death_, Jane."

Then she walked out of the house and through the garden gate. When she
had gone ten or fifteen yards she looked back to see her lover standing
by the gate, his face buried in his hands, and his strong frame shaking
with sobs. For a moment Jane relented; it was terrible to see this
reserved and self-reliant man thus weeping openly, and she knew that the
passion must be mighty which would bring him to this pass. In her heart,
indeed, she had never loved him better than at this moment; she loved
him even for his brutal attempt to vaccinate her by force, because she
understood what instigated the brutality. But then she remembered the
insult--she to be seized like a naughty child who will not take its
dose, and in the presence of another woman. And, so remembering, she
hardened her heart and passed out of his sight towards the gateways of
the grave.

At that time Jane sai