"Clifford has a home here," she answered.
"Woman," broke out the judge, "what is the meaning of all this? Have you other resources? Take care, Hepzibah, take care! Clifford is on the brink of as black a ruin as ever befel him yet!"
From within the parlour sounded a tremulous, wailing voice, indicating helpless alarm.
"Hepzibah!" cried the voice. "Entreat him not to come in. Go down on your knees to him. Oh, let him have mercy on me! Mercy!"
The judge withdrew, and Hepzibah, deathly white, staggered towards Phoebe.
"That man has been the horror of my life," she murmured. "Shall I never have courage enough to tell him what he is?"
IV.--The Spell is Broken
The shop thrived under Phoebe's management, and the acquaintance with Mr. Holgrave ripened into friendship.
Then, after some weeks, Phoebe went away on a temporary visit to her mother, and the old house, which had been brightened by her presence, was once more dark and gloomy.
It was during this absence of Phoebe's that Judge Pyncheon once more called and demanded to see Clifford.