She saw him take Ida May's hand and lead her slowly out of the house.
In the years that followed she wondered that the sight did not kill her.
When the door closed after them, Hildegarde stood for a moment stunned, with a white, awful pallor on her face.
Miss Fernly watched her in silence.
Was Hildegarde going mad? If she would only cry out, utter some word. But no; only that awful silence. "Hildegarde," said Miss Fernly, approaching her tremblingly, "what can I say, what can I do, to repair the terrible wrong I have done you?"
"The only thing you can do is to kill me," answered the girl, in a hoarse, unnatural voice.
"Oh, my niece! my precious niece, do not say that!" replied Miss Fernly, beside herself with grief. "You will break my heart!"
"Yours is not the only one that will be broken," returned Hildegarde.
Miss Fernly attempted to approach her, but Hildegarde drew back in loathing.