"You would force the world to believe that you allowed the murderer of your affianced husband to escape—because of a guilty passion—because you had fallen in love with him."
Not a sound escaped Carlita. She drew herself up, and a fierce pang like death shot through her heart and eyes. Even then she did not realize the full force of the awful truth that had been so cruelly thrust before her.
She looked Jessica straight in the eye for one moment, then said, stonily:
"It is enough! The world shall not say that, for Olney's sake! I will see the ghastly play through to the bitter end!"
Then she turned and walked out of the room as steadily as if she had not been bent and broken with grief less than ten minutes before.
Jessica watched her go, allowing her scornful smile full play as she realized that she was alone.
"That shot told in more ways than one," she said, sneeringly. "I think her suffering will be all that even I could desire. Was ever vengeance so perfect and complete as mine?"