A Terrible Secret

ther-that was enough. He had reached the spot only a moment before their parting, an

she knew it. She knew it. How many times had they met before-his wife and the man he abhorred-the man who claimed her as his wife. What if she were his wife? What if that plight pledged in the Scotch kirk were binding? She had loved Juan Catheron then. Wh

eling as though he could never look upon her false fac

o say. If she voluntarily tells me, I must, I will believe

he entered, his man Edwards me

om Powyss Place, Sir V

as had a

n-it was an impetuous s

tack of apoplexy. For Hea

-room. His wife was not there. He turned to the nur

and sweet surely. Yet why, if innocent, that nervous start at sight of him-that frig

a fit of apoplexy. This is the second within the year, and may prov

ut then, perhaps, the summons accounted for that. She

me, Ethel, before I go?" he

husband's pale set face, and they died away again. Why detain him now in his haste and trouble? Why rouse his rage against Juan Catheron a

good-by. I hope poor Mr. Powyss

ght it; there could be no doubt of her guilt now. And yet, insanely inconsis

oor. All at once he turned back, caught her in his a

aid, "my wife,

, her heart fluttering. A second time he walked to the door-a second

fraid to leave you to-night. Nervous folly, I suppose; but take care of yoursel

he wa

nch window, standing wide open,

hought, "how fond he

. She stood and watched him out of sight. Once, as he rode away,

rgive him everything. How happy we might be here together, if it were not f

dow, fascinated by the

stood there, the nurser

ron e

it. I wanted Victor. I thought I heard his vo

ib of that young gentleman, and regarded him in his slee

p the Scottish Law of Marriage, and really I have my doubts. If you are Juan's wi

-the straw that broke the camel's back-the one insult of all others not t

rrow you leave it! I am Sir Victor Catheron's wife, the mistress of Catheron Royals, and this is the last night it shall e

en Inez Catheron quailed before the storm she had r

Catheron Royals! Not all the Miss Dobbs that ever bore that distinguished app

at rang. And Jane Pool, the nurse, thinking she had heard a

per though. I wouldn't stand in my lady's shoes, and her a-hating me so; no, not for

scene she had just overheard. There was Welsh rabbits for supper-nurse was particularly fond of Welsh rabbits-and in

could not make up my mind to face my lady after that row. Poor thing! It does seem hard now she can't be mistress in

sery. She tapped at the door-there was no reply-she o

open, the white, piercing moonlight streamed in. An arm-chair stood ne

itself. Her lips quivered as she slept like the lips of a hurt child, her eyelas

r thing! I say it's a burning shame for Sir Victor, so fond as he is of her too, to let Miss Inez torment her. I wouldn

ng him, and stole softly out. The night nursery was an upper room. Jane Pool carried him up, disrobed him, fed him, and tucked him up for the night. He fell again asleep almost instantly. Sh

dy will catch cold sle

I ought to go i

n came out. She was very pale. Jane Pool was struck by it, and the scarlet shaw

her haughty way. "What do

ittle curtsey; "and what I'm here for, is to wake my lady. Sleeping

sharply, "and attend to your nursery. She is asle

ck up, that she thinks we're the dirt under her feet. I only hope she'll be sent packing to-m

ervants' regions again

aid, sociably drinking

r attentive ears she po

revious

, and she's in love with him yet. My lady shall be woke up in spite of her; she'd like her to get her death in the night air, I dare say. I've a

ry door and rapped as Nurse Pool had done. There was

l brightness filled the room. The arm-chair still stood under th

id gently, advancin

, no stir. She ben

up; I'm afraid you'll

She had laid her hand upon my lady's bosom to arouse her; she snatched it away and sprang back in horror. Asle

s hand, blood trickling in a small red stream from under the left breast. Ethel,