"I regret to state that the matter is to my mind most suspicious," observed the surgeon, with true professional calmness. "This morning the housekeeper informs that young person she must leave your establishment——"
"But, according to your own admission, the laudanum was purchased last night," interrupted the rector.
"Your humanity in pleading on behalf of that young woman does honour to your heart, Mr. Tracy," said the surgeon; "but was it not likely that she knew yesterday of some circumstance which would induce the housekeeper to give her warning to-day? and——"
"Oh! my God!" cried the rector, striking his forehead forcibly with the open palm of his right hand.
"To a virtuous mind like yours I know that such a suspicion must be abhorrent," said the surgeon.
He then whispered a few words to the groom.
The groom immediately went out.
"Mr. Tracy—sir—you cannot surely entertain a suspicion against me!" cried Katherine, in a tone of the most piercing anguish. "Oh! that poor creature was my benefactress; and I would sooner have died myself than have done her wrong!"
"I believe you," exclaimed the rector,—"believe you from the bottom of my heart!"
"Thank you, Mr. Tracy," cried the poor girl, falling upon her knees before him, and grasping his hands convulsively in her own.