none the less, he left her with the assurance that, as soon as he should come back, she might count herself among the dead.
When Antonia's son was born, she was unable to nurse him, because of her enfeebled and wasted condition, and the frequent attacks of prostration from which she had suffered since the commission of the crime. And since the state of her purse did not permit her to pay for a nurse, the women of the neighborhood who had nursing children took turns in caring for the poor little thing, which grew up sickly, suffering the consequences of all its mother's anguish. Before she had fully got back her strength, Antonia was hard at work again, and although her cheeks continually showed that bluish pallor which is characteristic of a weak heart, she recovered her silent activity and her placid manner.
Twenty years of prison! In twenty years, she told herself, either he might die, or she might die, and from now until then was, in any case, a long time. The idea of a natural death did not disturb her; but the mere thought of her husband's return filled her with horror. In vain her sympathetic neighbors tried to console her, suggesting the possibility that the guilty wretch might repent and mend his ways, or, as they expressed themselves, "think better of it"; but Antonia would only shake her hand, murmuring gloomily:
"What, he? Think better of it? Not unless God Himself came down from Heaven to tear his dog's heart out of him and give him another!"
