Red Pottage

thee? Is it well

f the study, she did not follow them with the deliberate intention of eavesdropping, but from a vague im

barely time to throw herself back from the door into a dark recess under the staircase before Hugh came out. He almost touched her as he passed. He must have seen her if he had been capable of seeing anyth

dily at her, as she clung trembling to the banisters. There was no alteration in his glance, and

level voice to which she was accus

s, catching at the banisters

h its shaded electric lights. And she remembered that

to her when her eldest son was born. Her maid took the tiara gently out of her hair, and cut the threads that sewed the diamonds on he

said impatie

ung herself face downwards on the sofa. Her attitude h

e made a heroine meet it had she been a novelist, in a white dressing

t it is a matter of common experience that the unima

inced at the obvious parallel of the prophet’s story about the ewe lamb. But apparently he remained seren

was so accustomed to the idea that it had become a habit, and now the whole of her self-respect was in one wrench torn from her. The events of the last

, any more than the probability that she had been seen by some of the servants kneeling listening at a keyh

herself; the dropped letter, the altered countenance, the badly arranged lie. No. She was convinced her secret had been guarded with minute, with scrupulous care

ck of half shutting his eyes which confirmed her in this opinion. When she came across persons who were, after a time, discovered to have affections and interests of which they had not spoken she described them as “cunning.” She had never t

d the words between little gasps for breath. Ruined! Her reputation lost! Hers — Violet Newhaven’s. It was a sheer impossibility that such a thing could have happened to a woman like her. It was some vile slander which Edward must see to. He

entarily stunned, pu

s. But no. What was that he had said to Hugh —

ay. Her mind became an entire blank. Another way! What way? She rememb

rawn the sh

have laughed if he had drawn it himself. Perhaps he had. Yes, he certainly had drawn it. But Hugh? She saw again the white set

h? Wh

the door was opened, and Lord Newhaven appeare

uietly. “Are you ill?” He

suspense were in her eyes. There was no change in his, and she remembered th

g away, but s

ings had shaken him it must have been some time ago. If they had been met and vanquished in secret that also must have been some time a

after a moment’s pause, “and I

not he

or,” she said in a ha

fectly aw

r room. The very furniture looked like well-known wor

loved me,

ooked gravely at her for a

vorce me if you t

ildren,” he said, with

in this room. Did either remember

ilence that m

?” she whispered, before sh

will observe, have I blamed you. But I desire that you will never again allude to this

itation,” and moved

upon her knees before him and caught hi

?” she gasped, her small uptu

xtricated himself from her trembling clasp and left the