"Yes," she continued: "not only have I remained here to frustrate your plots—which, alas! would have succeeded in destroying the child, had not some strange accident, as yet unaccounted for, at least to me, saved the innocent babe from being dashed to pieces against the stones beneath the balcony;—but I have also adopted those measures which will bring all your guilt most terribly home to you! Treacherous—infamous man, I denounce you as the murderer of your brother!"
"'Tis false—false as hell!" cried Vernon.
"It is, alas! too true," returned Eliza. "I have damning proofs against you!"
"Again I declare it is false!" said Gilbert, violently.
"Let us see," resumed Eliza. "You profess to have arrived from the East a few weeks ago; and you have been in England since December or January last! Lady Ravensworth heard your voice in the ruined lodge——"
"Ridiculous!—a mere coincidence—a false impression!" exclaimed Vernon.
"And your landlady in Stamford Street can prove that you lodged with her for several months," added Eliza.
"Monster!" ejaculated one of the servants who had hold upon him.
"All this proves nothing," cried Vernon, furiously.
"But the tobacco which you sent your brother was poisoned," said Eliza, with bitter emphasis.