\"Thecircumstancesofthemomentadaptedthemselves，withafatalfacility，tothisidea。Theill—fatedwomanwhohadbecomeattachedtome（Heavenknows——withoutsomuchastheshadowofencouragementonmypart！）had，justatthattime，rashlyplacedherreputationatthemercyoftheworld。Itrestedwithmetosilencethescandaloustonguesthatreviledher。WithHelenalosttome，happinesswasnottobeexpected。Allwomenwereequallyindifferenttome。Agenerousactionwouldbethesalvationofthiswoman。Whynotperformit？Imarriedheronthatimpulse——marriedherjustasImighthavejumpedintothewaterandsavedherifshehadbeendrowning；justasImighthaveknockedamandownifIhadseenhimill—treatingherinthestreet！
\"AndnowthewomanforwhomIhavemadethissacrificestandsbetweenmeandmyHelena——myHelena，freetopouroutallthetreasuresofherloveonthemanwhoadorestheearththatshetoucheswithherfoot！
\"Fool！madman！Whydon’tIdashoutmybrainsagainstthewallthatIseeoppositetomewhileIwritetheselines？
\"Mygunisthereinthecorner。Ihaveonlytotieastringtothetriggerandtoputthemuzzletomymouth——No！Mymotherisalive；mymother’sloveissacred。Ihavenorighttotakethelifewhichshegaveme。Imustsufferandsubmit。Oh，Helena！
Helena！\"