"Dark clouds hang over this once happy village," said Doctor Louis to Carew.
He was greatly shocked, but he had no hesitation in declaring that, although circumstances looked black against the twin brothers, his faith in them was undisturbed. Lauretta shared his belief, and Lauretta's mother also. Gabriel Carew did not combat with them; he held quietly to his views, convinced that in a short time they would think as he did. Lauretta was very pale, and out of consideration for her Gabriel Carew endeavoured to avoid the all-engrossing subject. That, however, was impossible. Nothing else could be thought or spoken of. Again and again it was indirectly referred to. Once Carew remarked to Lauretta, "You said that Eric and Emilius had a secret, and you gave me to understand that you were not ignorant of it. Has it any connection with what has occurred?"
"I must not answer you, Gabriel," she replied; "when we see Emilius again all will be explained."
Little did she suspect the awful import of those simple words. In Carew's mind the remembrance of the story of Kristel and Silvain was very vivid.
"Were Eric and Emilius true friends?" he asked.
Lauretta looked at him piteously; her lips quivered. "They are brothers," she said.
"You trust me, Lauretta?" he said.
"Indeed I do," she replied. "Thoroughly."
"You love me, Lauretta?"
"With my whole heart, Gabriel."