This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 edition. Excerpt: ...you make lest they be too fully granted! A rose from the cottage of Mavis Clare?--a rose from the garden of Eden!--they are one and the same to me! Not for my gathering or yours! Love and joy? For the unfaithful there is no love, --for the impure there is no joy. Add no more to the measure of my hatred and vengeance!--Go while there is yet time, --go and front the destiny you have made for yourself--for nothing can alter it! And as for me, whom you love, --before whom you have knelt in idolatrous worship--" and a low fierce laugh escaped him--"why, ----restrain your feverish desires, fair fiend!--have patience!--we shall meet ere long!" I could not bear the scene another moment, and springing from my hiding-place, I dragged my wife away from him and flung myself between them. "Let me defend you, Lucio, from the pertinacities of this wanton!" I cried with a wild burst of laughter----"An hour ago I thought she was my wife, --I find her nothing but a purchased chattel, who seeks a change of masters!" Foa one instant we all three stood facing each other, --I breathless and mad with fury, --Lucio calm and disdainful, --my wife staggering back from me, halfswooning with fear. In an access of black rage, I rushed upon her and seized her in my arms. "I have heard you!" I said--"I have seen you! I have watched you kneel before my true friend, my loyal comrade there, and try your best to make him as vile as yourself! I am that poor fool, your husband, --that blind egoist whose confidence you sought to win--and to betray! I am the unhappy wretch whose surplus of world's cash has bought for him in marriage a shameless courtezan! You dare to talk of love? You profane its very name! Good...