“All!”
They were unable to utter a single word. They could only wait shrinkingly for her to continue her scathing arraignment.
“I know all!” she repeated, and the note of despair in her voice scathed their hearts, it was so pathetic. “I know the plot that was laid to part me from my lover, how we both were tricked and cheated by lies and forged letters that turned our hearts to ice. Letty and Cullen played their parts well from beginning to end—aye, until this very day; but——”
“Dallas Bain, Lord Werter, has found out, and told you this!” hissed Mrs. Fleming fiercely.
“No; I doubt if the story is yet known to him. By your own lips you are condemned. Lutie Fleming, from your own lips I heard the cruel story of my wrongs.”
“Ah-h!” cried Royall, in a sharp voice of comprehension, and she went on, in that deep, accusing voice:
“When I left you with Royall this afternoon, I hurried upstairs to change my dress, and came back and lay down on the sofa in the alcove to rest. I did not mean to eavesdrop. I was only tired, and wanted to rest while you chatted with Royall, so—I heard all!”
There was nothing to be said, no defense possible, they could only hang their heads like detected felons.
Then the scheming widow, stealing a furtive glance at her cousin’s face, was startled at its ghastly pallor.
Her tenderness for him nerved her to make one effort for his sake.