'I felt the blood rush to my face; she noticed my anger, and at once added, in milder tone:
''Pardon me! pardon me! I knew not what I said; I am well-nigh crazy; I do believe you, I do indeed; forgive me, and think of the despair to which the loss of those papers reduces me. I have no copy, and with them my secret perishes. I am ruined—ruined irretrievably. The mine is known now only to Pepito!'
''Then, madame, on him you must hereafter rely.'
''Explain to me, pray, how could Arthur, on his dying-bed, have been guilty of so cruel, so mean an act? How could he despoil the woman who had trusted him, and leave her not only forlorn, but destitute?'
'This question embarrassed me, and I was conning an answer, when Adéle resumed:
''Let no false delicacy restrain you; speak out, Mr. Rideau; adversity has taught me endurance, if not courage.'
''Since, madame, you absolutely extort it from me, I must admit that a few moments before he expired, Mr. Livermore—'
''Speak out, plainly; I beg of you, conceal nothing.'
''Well, madame, the words he used were: 'I destroy these papers because they were bought with blood. Ten months ago General Ramiro died, at New-Orleans, by poison—poison administered by Adéle!''
''Poor Arthur! what agony he must have suffered—he must have been delirious. O Arthur! why was I not beside you? Poor Arthur!' As she uttered these words, she raised her streaming eyes to heaven; her lips moved as if in prayer, and a deadly pallor overspread her countenance.