"That is just the way she goes on from morning till night," exclaimed Mrs. Verne, who now entered, and extended her hand to her guest in a quiet and kindly way.
The young man was at a loss for words, and thinking it best to say nothing just then, suddenly held up the missing document.
"This is the promise I made Mr. Verne," said he, addressing himself to Mrs. Verne, then placing the letter in Marguerite's hand.
The latter glanced at the contents, and trembled violently.
Mrs. Arnold was the first to speak.
"Is it the confession of a murder, Mr. Lawson. It must be something terrible."
"Bead it for yourself," said Marguerite, awaking from her stupor.
"Truly God has watched over us from the first. Oh! mamma, think what
I have escaped."
"Hush! Marguerite. Let us never refer to the past again," said Mrs. Arnold, with a calm resignation so characteristic of the noble spirit which now actuated her.
"Phillip Lawson, you have proved the truest friend that my father ever had. You have been true to us all, and we little deserved such sacrifice. Many a time I have held you up to ridicule when I knew in my heart that you were honest and good."
Marguerite had noiselessly stolen from their midst. She was deeply overcome and nature must have its way.