"Oh, villain!" he groaned, as his maddened gaze was fixed on Dudley; "you shall pay for this with your blood—"
"Softly, Reverend Sir! softly! One word of this, and the world shall know of your amours with the handsome widow."
Herman's gaze rested on my face—
"You,—know—of—this?" he began, with a look that can never be forgotten.
"Pardon, Herman, pardon! I was mad," I shrieked, flinging myself at his feet, and clutching his knees.
For a moment he gazed upon me, and then, lifting his clenched right hand, he struck me on the forehead, and I fell insensible on the floor. The curse, which he spoke as I fell, rings even yet in my ears.
[CHAPTER XIV.]
SUICIDE.
Three days have passed since then. Such days as I will never pass again! I have just learned that Gerald Dudley has fled the city. His purpose to obtain Fanny's hand in marriage by first accomplishing her shame, has utterly failed. Her father knows all and is now using every engine of his wealth to connect my name with the crime which has damned every hope of his idolized child. And he will succeed! I feel it; I know it; my presentiment cannot prove false. What shall I do?—whither turn?