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Victorian Short Stories of Troubled Marriages by Unknown
page 59 of 88 (67%)
than before. The maid had entered with us, and began once more to foment
the bruise upon her mistress's brow.

'I hope,' said the lady, 'that you have not come to cross-examine me
again?'

'No,' Holmes answered, in his gentlest voice. 'I will not cause you any
unnecessary trouble, Lady Brackenstall, and my whole desire is to make
things easy for you, for I am convinced that you are a much-tried woman.
If you will treat me as a friend and trust me, you may find that I will
justify your trust.'

'What do you want me to do?'

'To tell me the truth.'

'Mr. Holmes!'

'No, no, Lady Brackenstall--it is no use. You may have heard of any
little reputation which I possess. I will stake it all on the fact that
your story is an absolute fabrication.'

Mistress and maid were both staring at Holmes with pale faces and
frightened eyes.

'You are an impudent fellow!' cried Theresa. 'Do you mean to say that my
mistress has told a lie?'

Holmes rose from his chair.

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