“Oh, but I’m sorry you repudiate the confession, Hippolyte⁠—it is sincere; and, do you know, even the absurd parts of it⁠—and these are many” (here Hippolyte frowned savagely) “are, as it were, redeemed by suffering⁠—for it must have cost you something to admit what you there say⁠—great torture, perhaps, for all I know. Your motive must have been a very noble one all through. Whatever may have appeared to the contrary, I give you my word, I see this more plainly every day. I do not judge you; I merely say this to have it off my mind, and I am only sorry that I did not say it all then ⁠—”

Hippolyte flushed hotly. He had thought at first that the prince was “humbugging” him; but on looking at his face he saw that he was absolutely serious, and had no thought of any deception. Hippolyte beamed with gratification.

“And yet I must die,” he said, and almost added: “a man like me!”