“I think I can explain that also,” replied Miss Bramlett. “Soon after I arrived in New York, I engaged a young Irish woman to serve me as waiting maid, and soon after she entered my service, I began to miss little articles, which I at first supposed were accidentally lost or mislaid, but it was not long before I became convinced that they were stolen. One of my dresses, a drab silk, mysteriously disappeared, then my ring, and various other valuable articles were missing, and when I became convinced that my maid was a thief I discharged her. It is clear to my mind that the unfortunate woman was wearing my dress and ring when she was drowned.”
“Viola!” said Wallingford in a voice choking with deep emotion, “did you recognize me in my Navarre costume?”
“Yes, indeed I did.”
“How could you remain near me so long without speaking to me? Do you not know that I would have swum through lakes of fire to have found you?”
Viola’s voice now for the first time refused to obey her will, and she was unable to make any reply. Her eyes were bent on the ground, while the violent throbbings of her heart could be distinctly heard by Lottie, who sat near her.
“Viola,” continued Wallingford, “will you not try to love me a little?”
“No!” she replied in a trembling tone which seemed to be uttered with an effort.
“Why?”
“Because I do not think it would be good for me to love any one more than I have loved you for the last ten years.”
“Now stop that, Harry,” exclaimed Demar, as he approached the group. “You may embrace Miss Bramlett if you wish, but to have two women in your arms at once is a little too much. I think you are very selfish; you may embrace Miss Bramlett as often as she will allow it, but you must not be quite so familiar with my wife.”