that he has gone," said he at last.

"It is a mercy for both. Perhaps you can understand now something of my
married life. And through it all I had but one friend--if I may call him
a friend who had come to terms with my husband, and who was to have been
his agent in destroying me. But when this man understood from me that I
was not what he had been taught to think me--which my husband told him I
was--he relented."

"May I ask what was that man's name?"

"His name is Pateroff. He is a Pole, but he speaks English like an
Englishman. In my presence he told Lord Ongar that he was false and
brutal. Lord Ongar laughed, with that little, low, sneering laughter
which was his nearest approach to merriment, and told Count Pateroff
that that was of course his game before me. There, Harry, I will tell
you nothing more of it. You will understand enough to know what I have
suffered; and if you can believe that I have not sinned--"

"Oh, Lady Ongar!"

"Well, I will not doubt you again. But as far as I can learn you are
nearly alone in your belief. What. Hermy thinks I cannot tell, but she
will soon come to think as Hugh may bid her. And I shall not blame her.
What else can she do, poor creature?"

"I am sure she believes no ill of you."

"I have one advantage, Harry--one advantage over her and some others. I
am free. The chains have, hurt me sorely during my slavery; but I am