"I dare," said Dora calmly. "I say it again. You killed Mr. Edermont."
"What--what proof have you?" gasped Lady Burville, seizing a chair to keep herself from falling.
"The proof of this brooch; the evidence of Dr. Scott, who met you returning from the Red House. You need not deny it, Lady Burville. I believe you to be guilty, and I shall denounce you."
"No, no! You cannot--you dare not!"
"Why?"
Lady Burville fell at her feet in a passion of tears.
"I am your mother," she cried, "your unhappy mother!"
[CHAPTER XVII.]
A STORY OF THE PAST.
"My mother!" Echoing Lady Burville's exclamation, Dora stepped backward and surveyed with amazement the weeping woman kneeling at her feet. The situation perplexed her. She could not believe that Lady Burville spoke truly in claiming so close a relationship, and deemed that it was some trick to avert the danger of being arrested for the crime. She frowned as this thought came into her mind, and turned away coldly.