whisper something to the
ladies, bringing round their heads towards her as simultaneously as
though they both worked on a single wire. Even the children coming out
of the village school set up a cheer as she passed.

"Good gracious, Pigott, what is it all about?" she asked, at last.

"Well, you see, miss, they talk of you in the papers as the 'Abbey
House heroine'--and heroines is rare in these parts."

Overwhelmed with so much attention, Angela was thankful when at last
they reached Rewtham House.

Pigott went into the housekeeper's room, and Angela was at once shown
up into the drawing-room. The servant announced her name to a black-
robed figure lying on a sofa, and closed the door.

"Come here, Angela Caresfoot," said a well-known voice, "and see how
Fate has repaid the woman who tried to ruin you."

She advanced and looked at the deathly face, still as darkly beautiful
as ever, on which was fixed that strange look of wild expectancy that
it had worn when its owner took the poison.

"Yes, look at me; think what I was, and then what I am, and learn how
the Spirit of evil pays those who serve him. I thought to kill myself,
but death was denied me, and now I live as you see me. I am an outcast
from the society of my kind--not that I ever cared for that, except to
rule it. I cannot stir hand or foot, I cannot write, I can scarcely
read, I cannot even die. My only resource is the bitter sea of thought
that seethes eternally in this stricken frame like fire pent in the
womb of a volcano. Yes, Angela Caresfoot, and like the fire, too,
sometimes it overflows, and then I can blaspheme and rave aloud till
my voice fails. That is the only power which is left to me."

Angela uttered an exclamation of pity.

"Pity--do not pity me; I will not be pitied by you. Mock me if you
will; it is your turn now. You prophesied that it would come; now it
is here."

"At any rate, you are still comfortable in your own house," said
Angela, nervously, anxious to change the subject, and not knowing what
to say.

"Oh! yes, I have money enough, if that is what you mean. My husband
threatened to leave me destitute, but fear of public opinion--and I
hear that he has run away, and is not well thought of now--or perhaps
of myself, cripple as I am, caused him to change his mind. But do not
let us talk of that poor creature. I sent for you here for a purpose.
Where is your lover?"

Angela turned pale and trembled.

"What, do you not know