The Slave of Silence

e would be an inquest on the body of Sir Charles at ten o'clock the following morning, as the authorities had already informed her, but Beatrice had looked upon this as m

irely forgotten. A somewhat tired detective was still watching the jewels in a room off the

e. She had been losing a great deal at bridge lately, and that was not the kind of pastime that Rashborough approved. He was very fond of his empty, hard, selfish, little wife, but he had put his

?" she asked pettishly.

u hardly expected that I should have started on

is is all very annoying, especially as you have such a lovely lot of new frocks and all the rest of it, but I dare say they will come in later on. Not that it matters, seein

edingly lucky, then?"

f course Stephen Richford is not what I call a

d scoundrel. From the first I always hated and detested him; I only consented to marry him for the sake o

dignation from her listener, she was doomed to disappointment. The little figu

ou a compliment. If I had been in your place I should have said nothing till I wanted to get the whip ha

haken to-day, and she was longing more than she knew for a little sympathy. People had

ice stammered, "do you real

ffered, and I did not want to overstay my market. It was all a question of money. I would have married a sa

finished. I have no money, no prospects, no anyth

s up. I dare say that Rashborough would be on your side because he is of that peculiar class of silly billy, but you may be sure that I shall not stand it. As a matter of fact

nd the gist of it was that Beatrice was practically ordered out of the house. She had hoped to remain here a

hing, and you decline to have me here for the present. Very well, I shall not appeal to Frank, though I am quite sure what

entered. Thus she wiped her hands of the whole affair; thus in a way she pronounced the verdict of Society upon Bee's foolish conduct. But the girl

t suggested wealth and money. With a firm resolve in her mind, Beatrice turned into a large jeweller's shop in Bond Street. The firm was very well known to her; they had supplied the family for years with the costly trifles that women love. The h

ould have Sir Charles's sitting-room and the dressing-room where a bed could be put up. An

e jewels that I will take care of, locked up in your safe. There are some diamonds which

crept down to dinner with a feeling that she would never want to eat anything again. She watched that brilliant throng about her sadly; she sat

ady said. "Such a sad, sad time for you, dear. Did you

ften heard her father speak of the Countess in terms o

hen you were quite a little thing. It was just before your dear mo

ually and by slow degrees she began to draw out the girl's confidence. Beatric

the only way to happiness. Your father was a dear friend of mine, and I am going to be a friend

ess sighe

few days to my chateau near Paris. It is quiet and dull perhaps, but very so

was the first touch of womanly sympathy she had receive

d is what I sorely need at present. When I think o

ible man first. You must return those fine diamonds to him. Oh, I know about the diamo

ey are in my dressing-ro

ou value that kind of thing. Well, General, and wha

was exquisitely preserved. He bowed over Beatric

y. Countess, your maid is wandering in a desolate way about t

e, chérie; talk to the General till I return, which will not be long. Those

d back and smile faintly from time to time. The General suddenly paused-so suddenly th

asked. "The heat of the roo

into the drawing-room. As the newcomer turned to speak to a lady, the General shot away from Beatrice's side

come from anybody. Then Beatrice had another thrill as she recollected the fact that she had told th

bedroom. The corridors were practically deserted at this time in the evening. Beatrice gave a sigh of r

girl recognized the fact that one of the voices belonged to Countess de la Mo

it now but to stay a