An hour afterward, feeling herself refreshed, Violet entered the cozy parlor, where Mrs. Dunbar with her golden-haired fairy of a child awaited her. A moment more and Mr. Dunbar appeared, accompanied by Doctor Danton.
At sight of his familiar face, Violet started to her feet. Jack Danton went swiftly forward and took the slender form in his arms, kissing her pale cheek.
“My child”—his voice was low and trembling—“thank God and Dunbar that you are safe! Now listen to me. With Mrs. Dunbar’s assistance I have procured you a change of clothing, so that you can make a respectable appearance in the street. Not a very gallant speech to make to a fair lady,” he added, his eyes twinkling with merriment; “but you are really quite dilapidated as you are. And you must go with me to the prison upon business connected with that villain Warrington, after which I have a little business for you to attend to.”
Violet obeyed in dazed silence. So many strange events had come into her life that the girl felt as though she had lost her own identity. In bewildered silence she went back to her room, where she found a neat street-dress of gray, with hat, gloves, and veil to match. Everything fitted her quite creditably, and she soon returned to the parlor looking more like her own sweet self than when she had last entered it.
Doctor Danton smiled in a fatherly way as his eyes rested upon the sweet, pale face.
“Well, my dear, are you ready? Then we will drive at once to the prison, and get this unpleasant business over with. Come, Dunbar!”
Violet was soon in the carriage which waited outside, and, accompanied by the two gentlemen, was driven rapidly to the parish prison.
To the day of her death Violet never forgot that morning and the scene which followed.
Gilbert Warrington’s scowling face, the ugly countenance of the oily old hypocrite Langley, and Mrs. Carter’s cringing ways as she pleaded with Violet to help her out of the trouble. But Violet’s heart was adamant to all appeals from such as she. She went bravely through what was required of her, and all was soon over. The result of the examination was that Gilbert Warrington was remanded to prison without the benefit of bail, while Langley and Mrs. Carter eventually went to the State penitentiary. The various charges against Warrington would consume time in their trial before justice could be done. As they were leaving the court-room, Violet caught his cruel eyes fixed upon her with a threatening expression and such bitter hatred, that the blood ran cold within her veins.
“He will find some way to be revenged!” she murmured, faintly, trembling with apprehension. “I can see it in his eyes. He means to be even with me yet, and somehow—although he is safe in prison—I can not help dreading him, and fearing that he may succeed in his designs. Heaven help me if I ever fall into his hands again!”