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less."CRUEL AS THE GRAVE." 203She could not oppose successful art to thcingenious skill yvith which he was courtinghis ownruin, to save him. She could not disentangle thisthought from the confusion in her brain; she feltonly its first tin-ill of conviction, she only shrankfrom it with swift, sharp, physical pain, whenRouth turned upon her with a torrent of angryand fierce reproaches." This is your doing," he said, the violence ofhis simulated anger hurrying his yvords, and"rendering them almost unintelligible. I oweit to you that this cursed fool has meinhis power,if the idiot only finds it out, and knows how touse it, more securely thanIever hacl him inmine.Tliis is your skill and your wisdom;yourcaution and your management, — is it ? Like afool,Itrusted a woman you were always so sureof yourself, you knoyv, and here's the result.You keep this pretty- piece of conviction in yourdesk, ancl produce it just in the nick of time.don't wonder you wanted me home;Idon'twonder you yvere in such ahurry to give me suchaproof ofyour boasted cleverness."Her clear blue eyes were uponhim;his rest-I