THE PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE
Aubrey's letter fell upon Helen as a crushing, stunning blow.
At first her womanhood reeled beneath it.
"What have I been—what have I done," she cried, "that a man dares to write thus to me?"
Then her wifehood rose up in arms as she thought of Ronnie's gay, boyish trust in her; their happy life together; his joyous love and laughter.
She clenched her hands.
"I could kill Aubrey Treherne!" she said.
Then her motherhood arose; and bowing her proud head, she burst into a passion of tears.
At length she stood up and walked over to the window.
"It will be bad for my little son if I weep," she said, and smiled through her tears.