trunk, when doubtless she would immediately seek Ray Palmer's protection,
and denounce both herself and her nephew for their plot against her.

Such a proceeding she knew would ruin all her prospects of becoming Mr.
Palmer's wife, and, actuated by a sudden impulse, she hastily drew the
door to again and locked it. Then she sped back to her chamber door and
turned the key in that also, to prevent escape that way, and entirely
forgetting in her excitement that she had intended to make still further
changes in her toilet before going below.

This done, she sped swiftly down stairs, and encountered Mary in the
hall.

"Lor', marm! I didn't know you had come in till you spoke," the girl
remarked, with a curious stare at her.

"I have a latch-key, you know," Mrs. Montague returned, as she swept on
toward the drawing-room, and the girl wondered why she "looked so strange
and seemed so flustered."

Mrs. Montague entered the room with haughty mien, intending to dispose of
Mr. Corbin with short ceremony, but she was somewhat taken aback when she
found that he was accompanied by another legal-looking gentleman.

She had but just exchanged formal greetings with them when Ray made his
appearance; but she did not suspect that he was aware of Mona's presence
in the house. Mr. Graves' remark had led her to suppose that he was there
by his appointment.

Mr. Corbin bowed to the young man, and remarked:

"I was about to explain to Mrs. Montague that some proofs regarding the
identity of Miss Montague have recently come into my possession."

"Do you mean to assert that you have proofs that will establish the
theory which you advanced to me during your last call here?" Mrs.
Montague demanded, with a derisive smile.

"That is exactly what I mean, madame," Mr. Corbin replied.

Mrs. Montague tossed her head scornfully.

She was sure that the only proof in existence of Mona Forester's legal
marriage was at that moment safely lying in the secret compartment of
that little table up stairs. She had not seen it since her return,
for she had been too busy to look over those things again and destroy
such as would be dangerous, if they should fall into other hands; but she
had seen them so recently she felt very secure, and did not dream that
she had been guilty of any carelessness regarding them.

She knew, also, that up to the evening of Louis' last declaration to her,
Mona had no proof to produce, and, supposing that she had but just