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conscience may be carried away.
He had not even the chance of being repulsed on account of his terrible
disfigurement. The woman had written to say that she loved him.
In every crisis there is a moment when the scale hesitates before
kicking the beam. When we lean to the worst side of our nature, instead
of strengthening our better qualities, the moral force which has been
preserving the balance gives way, and down we go. Had this critical
moment in Gwynplaine's life arrived?
How could he escape?
So it is she--the duchess, the woman! There she was in that lonely
room--asleep, far from succour, helpless, alone, at his mercy; yet he
was in her power! The duchess! We have, perchance, observed a star in
the distant firmament. We have admired it. It is so far off. What can
there be to make us shudder in a fixed star? Well, one day--one night,
rather--it moves. We perceive a trembling gleam around it. The star
which we imagined to be immovable is in motion. It is no longer a star,
but a comet--the incendiary giant of the skies. The luminary moves on,
grows bigger, shakes off a shower of sparks and fire, and becomes
enormous. It advances towards us. Oh, horror, it is coming our way! The
comet recognizes us, marks us for its own, and will not be turned aside.
Irresistible attack of the heavens! What is it which is bearing down on
us? An excess of light, which blinds us; an excess of life, which kills
us. That proposal which the heavens make we refuse; that unfathomable
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