martyrdom? Why do you
endure these horrors which might be abolished? You hurl me back upon
the loathsome thought that love, love for a depraved, brutal wretch is
the secret that baffles me. I might be able to see you die, to lay you,
stainless snowdrop that you are, in the coffin that would keep you
sacred forever; but please God! I will never endure the pain of seeing
you leave these sheltering walls to walk into that man's arms. I swear
to you by all I hold most precious, that if he be yet alive, I will
hand him over to retribution."

He had pushed aside the table, and stood before her, with the one
wholly absorbing love of his life glowing in his face. She dared not
meet the gaze that thrilled her with an exquisite happiness, and
involuntarily rose. Had she not strangled the impulse, her fluttering
heart would have prompted her to lean forward, rest her head against
his arm, and tell him all; but close as they stood, and realizing that
she reigned supreme in his affection, one seemed to rise reproachfully
between them; that generous, gentle woman to whom his faith was
pledged. No matter at what cost, she must guard Leo's peace of mind;
and to dispel his jealous illusion now, would speedily overwhelm the
tottering fabric of his allegiance. Folding her arms tightly across her
breast, she answered proudly:

"So be it then. Do your worst."

"You admit it!"

"I admit nothing."

"You defy me?"

"Defy? It seems I am always at the mercy of Tiberius."

"Can you look at me, and deny that you are screening your lover?"

She quickly lifted her head, with a peculiar haughty movement that
reminded him of a desperate stag at bay, and he never forgot the
expression of her eyes.

"I deny that Miss Gordon's accepted lover has any right to catechise me
concerning a subject which, were his suspicions correct, should invest
it with a sanctity inviolable by wanton curiosity."

He recoiled slightly as from a lash.

"Miss Gordon is on the eve of sailing through the sunny isles of
Greece; and while she is absent I purpose finding my nepenthe in my
hunt for murderers among Montana wilds. You have defied me, and I will
do my worst, nay, my very best to catch and hang that cowardly rogue
who adroitly used your handkerchief as the instrument to aid his crime."

She walked a few steps, putting once more between them the table,
against which she leaned.

"If you are successful, and the mystery of that awful murder should be
unrav