He wants money—he desires it—and it is so easy. He has to do nothing for it—just

keep silence. That is the beginning. The desire for money grows. He must have

more—and more! He is intoxicated by the gold mine which has opened at his feet.

He becomes greedy. And in his greed he overreaches himself. One can press a man

as far as one likes—but with a woman one must not press too far. For a woman has

at heart a great desire to speak the truth. How many husbands who have deceived

their wives go comfortably to their graves, carrying their secret with them!

 

How many wives who have deceived their husbands wreck their lives by throwing

the fact in those same husbands’ teeth! They have been pressed too far. In a

reckless moment (which they will afterwards regret, _bien entendu_) they fling

safety to the winds and turn at bay, proclaiming the truth with great momentary

satisfaction to themselves. So it was, I think, in this case. The strain was too

great. And so there came your proverb, the death of the goose that laid the

golden eggs. But that is not the end. Exposure faced the man of whom we are

speaking. And he is not the same man he was—say, a year ago. His moral fiber is

blunted.

 

He is desperate. He is fighting a losing battle, and he is prepared to take any

means that come to his hand, for exposure means ruin to him.

 

And so—the dagger strikes!”

 

He was silent for a moment. It was as though he had laid a spell upon the room.