"Send necessary affidavit at once. Even then much money will be required. Shall be forced to bring officer with me. Be sure suspect knows nothing of your movements and keep him near you as constantly as possible. If you lose sight of him, everything will fail."
And the reply was sent before either of the two girls slept:
"Call upon me for all money necessary, and spare no expense. Will send affidavit tomorrow morning. Your instructions shall be fully carried out."
And then Carlita found herself alone.
Where was the triumph over the murderer of her betrothed husband? Where was the exultation in bringing to justice so dastardly a criminal? Where was the wild joy in the fulfillment of an oath to the dead?
Was it expressed in the tight clasping of those interlaced fingers? Was it displayed in that passionate outburst of bitter, uncontrollable weeping?
God knows alone; for the heart of women is beyond human understanding, but after hours of groveling in the most exquisite anguish which she had ever known or ever dreamed of, she arose and crept into bed, turning out the light before she had undressed, because she was ashamed to face herself, ashamed to think of the bitterness of her agony, and yet understanding it no more than a child would have understood.
The curse of Pocahontas was following her with relentless severity.