"Something dreadful has happened," they tell Mr. Langton. "We have found a dead man in the woods. It is Mr. Clyde. He is cold and stiff—has certainly been dead several hours. And, worst of all, he has most probably been murdered. There is a bullet-hole through his heart."
Found murdered! With what an icy chill the words strike upon the senses in that beautiful, peaceful summer dawn.
Having finished the packing of the box, Reine comes out, attracted by the hum of voices.
The rich color pales in her cheeks at the dreadful news.
"Oh, how terrible," she cries. "It was Maud's lover, and she loved him, poor girl!"
She sees Vane Charteris wince, and feels as if she could bite her tongue off for the thoughtless words. Her heart sinks heavily.
"He has given me his hand, but not his heart," she says to herself. "I must be very patient. Perhaps I may win his love yet. I must do so, for I cannot live without it."
As she thinks all this, he comes to her side. The heart of the unloved bride beats quick and fast as the blue eyes fall upon her.
But he has only come to say, coldly and carelessly:
"Reine, you had better go in. This is too terrible a thing for a young girl's ears."