`` You might do murder before you know it , '' Tackleton had said . How could it be murder , if he gave the villain time to grapple with him hand to hand ? He was the younger man . It was an ill-timed thought , bad for the dark mood of his mind . It was an angry thought , goading him to some avenging act , that should change the cheerful house into a haunted place which lonely travellers would dread to pass by night ; and where the timid would see shadows struggling in the ruined windows when the moon was dim , and hear wild noises in the stormy weather . He was the younger man ! Yes , yes ; some lover who had won the heart that he had never touched . Some lover of her early choice , of whom she had thought and dreamed , for whom she had pined and pined , when he had fancied her so happy by his side . Oh , agony to think of it ! She had been above-stairs with the Baby ; getting it to bed . As he sat brooding on the hearth , she came close beside him , without his knowledge -- in the turning of the rack of his great misery , he lost all other sounds -- and put her little stool at his feet . He only knew it when he felt her hand upon his own , and saw her looking up into his face . With wonder ? No . It was his first impression , and he was fain to look at her again , to set it right . No , not with wonder . With an eager and inquiring look ; but not with wonder . At first it was alarmed and serious ; then , it changed into a strange , wild , dreadful smile of recognition of his thoughts ; then , there was nothing but her clasped hands on her brow , and her bent head , and falling hair . Though the power of Omnipotence had been his to wield at that moment , he had too much of its diviner property of Mercy in his breast , to have turned one feather 's weight of it against her . But he could not bear to see her crouching down upon the little seat where he had often looked on her , with love and pride , so innocent and gay ; and , when she rose and left him , sobbing as she went , he felt it a relief to have the vacant place beside him rather than her so long-cherished presence .
This in itself was anguish keener than all , reminding him how desolate he was become , and how the great bond XXXXX his life was rent asunder .
As At before by for in of that to without