CHAPTER XXVI.
A SECRET.
It was indeed Mehetabel.
She entered quietly, without a word, carrying Bideabout's gun, which she placed in the corner, by the fireplace.
Jonas and his sister looked at her, at first terror-struck, as though they beheld a ghost, then with unrest, for they knew not what she would say.
She said nothing.
She was deadly pale, and Iver, looking at her, was reminded of the
Mehetabel he had seen in his dream.
At once she recognized that her husband's arm was being dressed, and leisurely, composedly, she came forward to hold the basin of water, and do whatever was required of her by the surgeon.
The first to speak was Iver, who said, "Matabel! We have just been told you had fallen into the water."
"Yes. My dress is soaked."