Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Part III - XI
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THE CONFESSION OF A FOOL 225
hardworking man, to hold my own against an idle woman
who spent all her time spinning intrigues. In an unequal
struggle of this sort the man is certain to be caught in
the end in a net which enmeshes him on all sides.
" In love," said Napoleon, that most excellent judge of
women, "one only wins by flight." But how could a
carefully guarded prisoner escape ? and as for a man
sentenced to death . . .
My brain recovered after a rest, and I conceived a plan
of escape from this stronghold, although it was most care-
fully guarded by my wife and the friends which she had
so successfully duped. I used cunning ; I wrote a letter
to the doctor in which I expressed a haunting dread of
insanity, and suggested a trip abroad as a remedy. The
doctor fell in with my suggestion, and I at once informed
Marie of his opinion against which there was no appeal.
"By doctor’s orders!
"
Her very formula when she had successfully dictated
to the doctor the treatment she wished him to prescribe
for her.
She grew pale when she heard it.
"I don’t want to leave my country!
"
"Your country? . . . Finland’s your country! And
as far as I know, there is nothing in Sweden which you
could possibly miss ; you have no relations here, no friends,
no career."
" I refuse to accompany you !
"
"Why? "
She hesitated, and after a while continued
—
"Because I’m afraid of you! I won’t be left alone
with you !
"
" You are afraid of a lamb that you lead by the nose?
You aren’t serious!
"
"You are a knave, and I won’t stay with you unpro-
tected!
"
Q
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