I. A. R. Wylie

“ A strange smile touched the corners of her mouth.
“Brian, for seventeen years I have lived with one thought—one passion. Gratitude would never have turned me aside—but there is one thing stronger than hate—bigger than the thirst for revenge—” She paused and went on scarcely above her breath. “Do you remember what you said about hatred?—hatred and love are so close to one another—and I know that it is true because I who hated you—love you.”
He made no answer. He seized her hand and buried his face upon it. ”

“ Clear out if you want to save yourself. There's still time—”
But John Monkhouse closed the door behind him. He came forward on tiptoe, his finger to his lips, and as he reached the circle of lamplight they saw his face, distraught, disfigured, the eyes starting in bloodshot, maniacal terror.
“Brian!” he whispered. “Brian—I've seen her again—I've seen Margaret—under the lamplight. She was with my shadow and they whispered together and stared at me. Brian—she's come back—she can't rest—that's why she follows me. ”

“ And God—perhaps sent him here so that I should understand and be saved from a great cruelty—a great treachery—for I do understand. You loved my sister and sacrificed yourself to save the man she loved. ”