The woman felt the two strong hands that clasped hers shake like reeds.
“And you thought me dead?”
“I did! I did!”
“Then, and not till then you married this other man?”
“Oh, Herman! It was only my hand and wealth that I gave him. When love perished in my heart I had only ambition left.”
“Then all love for me had perished?”
“Herman! There never has been a time when the very memory of our love has not been dearer to me than the adoration of any living man.”
The hands which Ross still clasped were tightened painfully. For half a moment he was silent. When he did speak, it was almost in a whisper, and his voice was hoarse.
“Elizabeth! What have you done with our child?”
Mrs. Lambert wrenched her hands from the passionate grip fastened on them, and stood up in wild agony.