"Madam, let us not argue. As you yourself justly imply, man's heart and
woman's must each know throbs that never are, and never should be,
familiar to the other. I repeat my question, and again I implore your
answer."

"I cannot answer for certain; and I am fearful of answering at all, lest
on a point so important I should mislead you. Matilda's child? Jasper
affirmed it to me. His father believed him--I believed him. I never had
the shadow of a doubt till--"

"Till what? For Heaven's sake speak."

"Till about five years ago, or somewhat more, I saw a letter from
Gabrielle Desmarets, and--"

"Ah! which made you suspect, as I do, that the child is Gabrielle
Desmaret's daughter."

Arabella reared her crest as a serpent before it strikes. "Gabrielle's
daughter! You think so. Her child that I sheltered! Her child for whom
I have just pleaded to you! Hers!" She suddenly became silent.
Evidently that idea had never before struck her; evidently it now shocked
her; evidently something was passing through her mind which did not allow
that idea to be dismissed. As Darrell was about to address her, she
exclaimed abruptly: "No! say no more now. You may hear from me again
should I learn what may decide at least this doubt one way or the other.
Farewell, sir."

"Not yet. Permit me to remind you that you have saved the life of a man
whose wealth is immense."