|
The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson: even with violence, and stood alone.
The milk was spilt now, the word was out and the truth told. I had
crept like an untrusty man into the poor maid's affections; she was in
my hand like any frail, innocent thing to make or mar; and what weapon
of defence was left me? It seemed like a symbol that Heineccius, my
old protection, was now burned. I repented, yet could not find it in
my heart to blame myself for that great failure. It seemed not
possible to have resisted the boldness of her innocence or that last
temptation of her weeping. And all that I had to excuse me did but
make my sin appear the greater - it was upon a nature so defenceless,
and with such advantages of the position, that I seemed to have
|
