I know no
more of the chloroform than you do. I have told the truth first and
last, and always. I have no confession to make. I am as innocent as you
are. Innocent! Innocent! You are going to hang me for a crime I did not
commit. When you do, you will murder an innocent woman."

She spoke slowly, solemnly, and at intervals, as if she found it
difficult to express her meaning. The passionless tone was that of one,
standing where the river of death flowed close to her feet, and her
beautiful face shone with the transfiguring light of conscious purity.

"Hold up your hand, and tell me this is not your handkerchief; and I
will yet save you."

"It was my handkerchief, but I am innocent. Finish your work."

"How can you expect me to believe your contradictory statements?"

Wearily she turned her head, and looked at him. A strange drowsiness
dimmed her vision, thickened her speech.

"I expect nothing from you--but--death."

"Will you explain how your handkerchief chanced to be found on your
grandfather's pillow? Trust me, I am trying to believe you. Tell me."

In his eagerness he seized her hand, clasped it tightly, bent over her.
She made no reply, and the silky black lashes sank lower, lower till
they touched the violet circle suffering had worn under her eyes. Like
a lily too heavy for its stem, the glossy head fell upon her breast.
Her hot fingers throbbed in his palm, and when he felt her pulse, the
rapid bounding tide defied his counting. Kneeling beside her, he laid
the head against his shoulder.

"Are you ill? What is the matter? Speak to me."

Her parched lips unclosed, and she muttered with a sigh, like a child
falling asleep after long sobbing:

"My handkerchief--Tiberius--my--han--"

She had fought against fearful odds, with sleepless nights and fasting
days sapping her strength; and when the battle ended, though the will
was unfaltering, physical exhaustion triumphed, and delirium mercifully
took the tortured spirit into her cradling arms.

CHAPTER X.

When Leo Gordon celebrated her twenty-second birthday, Judge Dent,
appreciating the importance of familiarizing her with the business
details and technicalities of commercial usage, incident to the
management of her large estate, had insisted upon terminating his
guardianship, and transferring to her all responsibility for the future
conduct of her financial affairs. New books were placed in her hands,
in which he required her to keep syste