She knew the voice, and turned round, saying to herself, "Help may come from this quarter!"
It was the old hag who had spoken to her.
"My good woman," said Lady Cecilia hastily, "all is known—all is discovered!"
"What is known?" asked the old hag, in her usual imperturbable tone.
"It is known that I conveyed the poison, which you procured for me, to Reginald Tracy," replied Cecilia, in a hoarse whisper. "You have heard that he is dead?"
"I heard that last evening," said the hag. "What are you going to do?"
"To hide myself from the officers of justice," returned Cecilia. "But step into this court, or we shall be observed."
The old woman followed the unhappy lady under an archway.
"I must conceal myself—at least for the present," resumed Cecilia. "Will you grant me an asylum?"
"I! my dear lady!" ejaculated the hag, shaking her head ominously: "I am in danger myself—I am in danger myself! Did I not procure you the poison?"