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Hichens, Robert Smythe, 1864-1950

"A Spirit in Prison"

And he wondered
whether the record he seemed to read in the silence had been a true
record, or whether his imagination and his intellect of a
psychologist, alert even in this hour of intense emotion, had been
deceiving him. Hermione had seemed to be speaking to him. But had he
really been only impersonating her? Had it been really himself that
had spoken to himself? As this question arose in his mind he longed to
make Hermione speak. Then he could be sure of all. He must clear away
all misconception. Yet, even now, how could he speak of that episode
with Vere?
"You say you have always wanted gold, and that you have never been
given gold--"
"Yes."
He saw the dark figure near him lift its head. And he felt that
Hermione had come out of the darkness with the intention of speaking
the truth of what she felt. If she could not have spoken she would
have stayed in the inner chamber, or she would have escaped altogether
from the palace when he moved from the doorway. He was sure that only
if she spoke would she change.


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