u here with this vile man, at your guilty
work."

"Wait," she shivered; "wait!"

"Do you know what this is?" he cried. "The murder of a child! Do you
know that to-morrow may find you a criminal in the hands of
justice--you, my wife! You, in whose care I entrusted not only my honor
but the most innocent soul that ever lived. Speak then! Expect no mercy
from me; not to save my own honor; not to keep my own soul would I lift
one finger to help you! Think of it! Picture it to yourself!--The eager
crowd gathering about this spot; the hootings and execrations that will
follow you forth to prison! Think of the days and nights in your lonely
cell; remember the trial! the sentence! the horrible death! you shall
not escape! you shall not escape one of these things."

"Grantley! Grantley!"

"Not content with one crime, you have added murder; striving to hide
your guilt with a deeper sin!"

"This child died," she moaned; "it was God's own mercy, not my crime!"

"Speak then, and tell the whole truth. Do it. But have no thought that
even confession can save you; never hope for mercy from my weakness! You
can have no enemy who will prove so relentless as I will; if there was a
hope of your escape I would hunt you both down to utter disgrace--nay,
to death itself!"

"It is only to die," she muttered; "only to die."

"Will you speak; will you confess? Tell me how you murdered it?"

"There was no murder."

"But you buried it; you and this fiend who shared your guilt? Speak that
man's name; I will have it, and from your lips. But, oh, if you have
degraded my sister with this secret; if you have blighted her innocence
with a knowledge of your guilt----"

"Stop," she broke in; "stop! do not speak of her."

Even in that moment some recollections came upon her, and her face fell
forward, bowed down to her marble bosom.

"Elsie knows nothing," she said; "for her sake spare me."

"If you wish to escape having your shame dragged before the whole world,
tell me the truth."

"For her sake, for Elsie's, have mercy! I don't expect it--but,
remember, disgrace to me reflects not only on you but her! Think of
that--don't blight her whole future in crushing me!"

"I left her in your hands--she has been living in daily intercourse with
you--you have stained her lips with your kisses--degraded her by your
affection."

"I have not hurt her," she cried; "I tell you she never received harm
from me."

There was only one thought in her