to say the least of it.' And she gave her
accomplice a meaning look. I at once saw through my stepmother's
design. She was desirous of leading my father away, and leaving
me alone with Polidori, who, in this extreme case, no doubt,
would have used force to obtain from me the phial which might
supply so evident a proof of his criminal designs.

"'You are right,' said my father to my stepmother. 'Since I am
thus pursued, even in my private apartments, without respect for
my wishes, I will leave the place free to intruders.' And rising
with difficulty, he took the arm that was offered to him by my
stepmother, and went towards the salon.

"At this moment Polidori advanced towards me; but I went close
up to my father and said to him, 'I will explain to you why I
have arrived so suddenly, and what may appear strange in my
conduct. I became yesterday a widow; and it was yesterday,
father, that I learned your life was threatened.' He was walking
very much bent, but at these words he stopped, threw himself
erect, and looking at me with intense surprise, said:

"'You are a widow? My life is threatened? What does all this
mean?'

"'And who dares threaten the life of M. d'Orbigny, madame?'
asked my stepmother, most audaciously.

"'Yes, who threatens it?' added Polidori.

"'You, sir!--you, madame!' I replied.

"'What horror!' exclaimed my stepmother, advancing a step
towards me.

"'What I assert I will prove, madame!' I replied.

"'Such an accusation is most frightful!' cried my father.

"'I will leave the house this very moment, since I am exposed to
such shameful calumnies,' said Doctor Polidori, with the
apparent indignation of a man whose honour has been outraged.
Beginning to feel the danger of his position, no doubt, he was
desirous of effecting his escape. At the moment when he was
trying to open the door, it opened, and he found himself face to
face with Sir Walter Murphy."

Rodolph ceased reading, held out his hand to the squire, and said:

"Well done, my good old friend; your presence must have crushed the
scoundrel!"

"That's precisely the word, monseigneur. He turned livid, receded a
couple of paces, looking at me aghast; he seemed thunderstruck. To find
me at the further extremity of Normandy, in such a moment, he must have
thought he had a terrible dream. But go on, monseigneur; you will see
that thi