"No," Ralph said sternly. "You certainly shall not."
"Then good-night. Do not be surprised if I beat you yet."
It was late, and the family were retiring. Marion had already gone. In the drawing-room a group had gathered round the fire. They were silent and sad, for they had heard many things that had moved them strangely. There was a knock at the door and Symonds looked in.
"My prisoner is dead," she said coldly and unmoved. "I supposed she managed to secret some poison and take it. But she is dead."
"It is well," Ravenspur replied. "It might have been worse. It was the best she could do to lift the shadow of disgrace from this unhappy house."
L'ENVOI
Marion had bowed her head before the coming storm. She asked no mercy and expected none. Yet she looked the same pure, unaffected saint she had ever appeared. Ravenspur would have taken her hand, but she drew it away.