She went with the note to her mother and begged pardon for intruding on her sacred grief with her own troubles.
"Sit down, my darling, and tell me all," was the gentle reply.
When she had learned the story of Geraldine's persecution by the actor, her indignation was beyond measure.
"He shall be sent to prison for this outrage!" she exclaimed.
"Is that necessary?" Geraldine asked, timidly.
"Is it possible that you wish to spare him, darling?"
"Yes, if we can get rid of his pretensions to my hand without resorting to extreme measures."
"You shrink from notoriety. I understand, and will try to indulge your wishes, although the wretch ought to be punished to the full extent of the law for his villainous conduct," exclaimed the lady, adding, fearfully:
"Only think what might have been your fate, dear, but for the accident that threw us together on the train."
Geraldine shuddered as she recalled the peril from which she had been delivered, then said, with infinite relief: