Cora was beginning to feel a return of combativeness, and she exclaimed quickly: "That is false!"
"I know," pursued her inquisitor, ignoring her retort, "that this man you call 'Dr. Le Guise,' is your tool and—I have had every drug that has been prescribed by him analyzed by city physicians!"
Cora saw that she was indeed undone, and began to fight with the recklessness of despair. "I don't believe you!" she cried, reckless that she was committing herself. "That old spy, Hagar, has fancied these things. How could you get the medicines?"
"Not through Hagar."
"How then?"
"Just as I got the certificate of your marriage with Mr. Percy."
The woman sprang to her feet. "You—you are—"
"Céline Leroque, madame!" with an imitation of the ladies' maid accent.
Cora fell back in her chair panting.
"Now," resumed Madeline, "why don't you reflect that, if it were my intention to denounce you, I could have done that long ago. Are you not aware that my step-father is my enemy?"