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146 LILITH
Her words and her look roused my indignation. ' There was no beauty left in you,' I said. ' Why, then, again, did you not let me alone ?' ' Because you were of my own kind.'
' Of your kind ?' she cried, in a tone of utter contempt. ' I thought so, but find I was mistaken !'
' Doubtless you pitied me !'
' Never had woman more claim on pity, or less on any other f eeling!'
With an expression of pain, mortification, and anger unutterable, she turned from me and stood silent. Starless night lay profound in the gulfs of her eyes: hate of him who brought it back had slain their splendour. The light of life was gone from them.
I Had you failed to rouse me, what would you have done ? ' she asked suddenly without moving.
' I would have buried it.'
' It! What ?—You would have buried this ?' she exclaimed, flashing round upon me in a white fury, her arms thrown out, and her eyes darting forks of cold lightning.
' Nay; that I saw not! That, weary weeks of watching and tending have brought back to you,' I answered—for with such a woman I must be plain ! ' Had I seen the smallest sign of decay, I would at once have buried you.'
' Dog of a fool!' she cried, I was but in a trance ! —Samoil! what a fate !—Go and fetch the she-savage from whom you borrowed this hideous disguise.'
'I made it for you. It is hideous, but I did my best.' She drew herself up to her tall height.
' How long have I been insensible ?' she demanded. ' A woman could not have made that dress in a day !' |
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