r hands together
hard, but she said no word.

"Listen!" I said, "there is more to tell. When I broke loose from the
grasp of death, when I came HOME--I found my vacant post already
occupied. I arrived in time to witness a very pretty pastoral play. The
scene was the ilex avenue--the actors, you, my wife, and Guido, my
friend!"

She raised her head and uttered a low exclamation of fear. I advanced a
step or two and spoke more rapidly.

"You hear? There was moonlight, and the song of nightingales--yes; the
stage effects were perfect! _I_ watched the progress of the
comedy--with what emotions you may imagine. I learned much that was
news to me. I became aware that for a lady of your large heart and
sensitive feelings ONE husband was not sufficient"--here I laid my hand
on her shoulder and gazed into her face, while her eyes, dilated with
terror, stared hopelessly up to mine--"and that within three little
months of your marriage to me you provided yourself with another. Nay,
no denial can serve you! Guido Ferrari was husband to you in all things
but the name. I mastered the situation--I rose to the emergency. Trick
for trick, comedy for comedy! You know the rest. As the Count Oliva you
can not deny that I acted well! For the second time I courted you, but
not half so eagerly as YOU courted ME! For the second time I have
married you! Who shall deny that you are most thoroughly mine--mine,
body and soul, till death do us part!"

And I loosened my grasp of her: she writhed from me like some
glittering wounded serpent. The tears had dried on her cheeks, her
features were rigid and wax-like as the features of a corpse; only her
dark eyes shone, and these seemed preternaturally large, and gleamed
with an evil luster. I moved a little away, and turning my own coffin
on its side, I sat down upon it as indifferently as though it were an
easy-chair in a drawing-room. Glancing at her then, I saw a wavering
light upon her face. Some idea had entered into her mind. She moved
gradually from the wall where she leaned, watching me fearfully as she
did so. I made no attempt to stir from the seat I occupied.

Slowly, slowly, still keeping her eyes on me, she glided step by step
onward and passed me--then with a sudden rush she reached the stairway
and bounded up it with the startled haste of a hunted deer. I smiled to
myself. I heard her shaking the iron gateway to and fro with all her
feeble strength; she called aloud for help several