but with set lips and gleaming eyes. "Jane Pool was holding forth to
the inspector of police. I walked up to them, and they both slunk away
like beaten curs. Orders have been issued, that no one is to leave the
house. To-morrow these facts are to be placed before the coroner's
jury. If they find me guilty--don't cry, Aunt Helena--I shall be sorry
for _you_--sorry I have disgraced a good old name. For the rest, it
doesn't much matter what becomes of such a woman as I am."

She turned again to the window and looked out into the darkness. There
was a desperate bitterness in her tone that Lady Helena could not
understand.

"Good Heaven!" she burst forth, "one would think you were all in a
conspiracy to drive me mad. It doesn't matter, what becomes of you,
doesn't it? I tell you if this last worst misery falls upon us, it
will kill me on the spot; just that."

The girl sighed drearily.

"Kill you, Aunt Helena," she repeated, mournfully. "No--we don't any
of us die so easily. Don't be afraid--I am not likely to talk in this
way before any one but you. I am only telling you the truth. They will
have the inquest, and all that Jane Pool can say against me will be
said. Do you think Victor will be able to appear?"

"I don't think Victor is in a condition to appear at an inquest or
anywhere else. Ah, poor boy! he loved her so dearly, it is enough to
shake the mind of a stronger man."

But Miss Catheron was dead silent--it was evident her feelings here