"
She did, then wished she hadn't. Those cold and knowing eyes seemed to
look straight through her. Hatred deserted her, leaving only fear. And
in that moment she was sure it was not her father, but the Devil
himself who stood before her. His wicked tongue was a foil far too
clever for her innocence, and she knew it. She felt her innermost
temples exposed, and had little doubt that he could ridicule and undo
the most sacred feelings she possessed.
"Aren't you going to ask me why
I I don't believe? Are you afraid? I am going to tell you; and if only
once in your fairy-tale existence you listen to the voice of reason,
then let it be now." He spoke evenly at first, but it was clear that
she had stirred the cauldron of his emotions.
"I disbelieve for the simplest, and most undeniable reason of all.
Experience
. For forty years I have taken what I wanted, disobeying each
Commandment, each precept, a thousand times over. And not only do I go
unpunished. . .but I have thriven, and raised myself to great power.
"I will tell you something I have never told anyone; you may take that
any way you like.
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