And in all the bitterness of that moment the cruelest thought of all was that Cissy was listening to her confession of sin, and would hate and despise her now for her ingratitude after all the kindness she had showered on her worthless head.
Somehow, she had coveted Cissy's respect and good-will, and to lose them was most bitter to her pride.
The cup of her humiliation was full, but she had to drink it to the bitter dregs.
When she drew breath in silence at last, after telling of the note she had pinned on the pillow, Harry Hawthorne cried, indignantly:
"Why did you lend yourself to this terrible deed?"
Miss Erroll looked at Cissy and faltered:
"You can tell him why."
Cissy answered:
"I think he knew some dark secret in her past that she was anxious to hide, now that she is leading a better life, and he threatened her with betrayal unless she helped him to carry out his plot. Is it not so?"
"It is the truth. I tried to keep from doing it, but I could not get out of his power. Oh, how hard it is for a woman who has once done wrong to lead a good life again! The avenging fates pursue her to death or madness!" groaned the detected governess.