"No, you shall not go!" he cried. "This is my house; nay, more—it is yours, Beatrix. You shall not go. Do not mind what Serena says; you have more right here than she has!"
"Mr. Dane!" Serena's voice trembled with suppressed anger. "What do you mean?"
"I mean this!"
Old Bernard Dane faced the angry woman with unflinching eyes.
At that very moment Beatrix's slight form began to sway unsteadily, and she fell to the floor in a dead faint.
"Good heavens!" cried Bernard Dane, excitedly, "here we stand dickering over a foolish matter, and poor Beatrix is suffering. Doctor, her burns must be attended to at once. Mrs. Graves will help her to bed; she must be taken care of."
Doctor Darrow was already busily engaged in removing the scorched and tattered bodice of Beatrix's dress from about the beautiful white neck and arms. As he did so, a package of papers fell from the bosom of her dress to the floor. Bernard Dane stooped and picked them up. It was the package of papers which Celia Ray had intrusted to the care of Beatrix. As his eyes fell upon these papers the old man uttered a cry of surprise. Drawing his spectacles from his pocket, he put them on, and eagerly opened the package.
"Good heavens!" he ejaculated; then turning aside he sank into a seat and began to read the papers carefully.
He started up and faced Serena, pale and trembling.