Amber was almost choking with rage.
“So the girl was about to drown herself? I wish she had succeeded, I do, from my heart,” she thought, bitterly.
But assuming a charming smile, she advanced into the group and said, gently:
“Dear Cecil, do not blame poor grandpapa, for, really, I am the only one in fault. I was staying with Violet while Mrs. Shirley went to take a nap, and the poor feverish girl asked me for a drink of ice-water. I went down the hall to get it, and while I was out she stole away. That is all.”
She told the tale complacently, not dreaming that the sick girl had betrayed her; but the next moment she shrank and trembled, for Cecil turned on her with scathing reproaches.
“No, that is not all, Miss Laurens; for, before you left poor Violet, you told her some cruel falsehoods—that I was false to my love for her, and had offered my heart to you. It was that which drove my poor girl frantic, and sent her to end her sweet life in the river. But, thank Heaven, I was at hand and snatched her back, even as she made the fatal leap. I will never forgive you, Miss Laurens, for your wickedness.”
She cowered beneath his lightning glance of scorn, and Judge Camden, beginning to recover his wits, advanced and took Violet, saying, with cool courtesy:
“I am deeply grateful to you for saving Violet’s life, and trust I may be able to repay the debt some future day.”
To his wrath and amazement, Cecil replied, with a manly, respectful air:
“Violet and I are deeply in love with each other, Judge Camden, and I ask you to give her to me as my cherished wife!”