He asked himself
whether by violent or diplomatic process, he could rid himself of this
second watcher; and the answer was in the negative. The circle around him
was a circle not to be broken.
His wife, as yet, had been told nothing of the suspicions that reigned in
the breasts of other people. He knew this; for in his wife's face there
was no token of that dark knowledge, and she, of all people, would be
least skilled to deceive his scrutinizing eyes. Nor had the younger
servants of his household any share in the hideous suspicion. He had
watched the countenance of the maid who waited on him, and had convinced
himself of this.
It was something to know that even these were not yet leagued against
him; but he could not tell at what moment they too might be sworn into
that secret society which was growing up against him in his own house.
Power to carry out his own schemes in the face of these people he felt
that he had none. Upon the dark road which he had travelled until of late
without let or hindrance, there had arisen, all at once, an
insurmountable barrier, with the fatal inscription, Here there is no
Thoroughfare.
Beyond this barrier he could not pass. Sudden as the dread arrest of
Lot's wife was the mandate which had checked his progress. He was brought
to a dead stop; and there was nothing for him to do but to wait the issue
of Fate. He stood, defiant, unabashed, face to face with the figure of
Nemesis, and calmly awaited the lifting of the veil.
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