She
becomes less than human, and is like Jael."
Justine knew that Mrs. Falchion held a sword over Roscoe's career; she
guessed that Mrs. Falchion both cared for him and hated him too; but she
did not know the true reason of the hatred--that only came out
afterwards. Woman-like, she exaggerated in order that she might move him;
but her motive was good, and what she said was not out of keeping with
the facts of life.
"The man's life even might be in danger?" he asked.
"It might."
"But surely that is not so dreadful," he still said calmly.
"Death is not the worst of evils."
"No, not the worst; one has to think of the evil word as well. The evil
word can be outlived; but the man must think of those who really love
him--who would die to save him--and whose hearts would break if he were
killed. Love can outlive slander, but it is bitter when it has to outlive
both slander and death. It is easy to love with joy so long as both live,
though there are worlds between. Thoughts fly and meet; but Death makes
the great division. . . . Love can only live in the pleasant world."
Very abstractedly he said: "Is it a pleasant world to you?"
She did not reply directly to that, but answered: "Monsieur, if you know
of such a man as I speak of, warn him to fly.
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