"Miss Mildmay," said Mr. Thaxton, "did I not feel sure that you are as strong of heart as you are true, I should approach the task before me with dread. As it is, I do so with reluctance."
"Stay!" said Violet, growing pale. "Answer me one question, and answer it truly. Is the business you have come about in any way connected with my marriage?"
"It is," said Mr. Thaxton, "and with something which I know weighs heavily on you, though the reality has passed long since."
Violet grew paler still.
"Mr. Thaxton," she said, "I am no weak-minded schoolgirl. I have suffered much, and still live, and can bear more than you think. Be plain with me, I entreat you. You have come to speak to me of that dreadful time long past but ever present in my mind."
"I have come to speak to you of Penruddie," said Mr. Thaxton.
Violet repressed a shudder, and closed her eyes for a moment.
The three watchers knew that she was putting up a prayer for strength.
"You have come to tell me that you have discovered something in connection with that terrible, cruel time. Have you found the—the——"