"Then I must ask you to prepare yourself for something very disagreeable. I wish I knew how to save you from the knowledge—but I do not."
The diamond necklace rose and fell as though she breathed heavily; her face grew quite white.
"Does it concern my son, Mr. Carruthers?" she asked.
"Alas, that I must say yes, Lady Carruthers," he answered; "I am not a man of sentiment, but I would give many years of my life to spare you this pain."
"Is he dead?" she asked, hoarsely.
"No, it is not so bad as that," he replied.
"Not death; and I know it is not disgrace. I can bear what you have to tell me, Mr. Forster."
He took both papers from his pocket and laid them before her.
"Read this paragraph first," he said; "and then this."
She did as he wished. When she read the second, her proud face flushed, and she drew her figure to its full height.