s heart, but though she turned white she said nothing,
only looked steadily into the false eyes that glowed and burned at her
like two hateful coals of fire that would scorch her soul and David's to a
horrid death.

"Poor child, you cannot answer. You have trusted perfectly. You thought he
was there on business connected with his writing, but did it never occur
to you what a very long time he has been away and that--that there might be
some other reason also which he has not told? But you must know it now, my
child. I am sorry to say it, but he has been keeping it from you, and
those who love you think you ought to know. Let me explain. Very soon
after he reached New York he met a lady whom he used to know and admire.
She is a very beautiful woman, and though she is married is still much
sought after. Your husband, like the rest of her admirers, soon lost his
heart completely, and his head. Strange that he could so easily forget the
pearl of women he had left behind! He went to see her. He showed his
affection for her in every possible way. He gave her large sums of money.
In fact, to make a long story short, he is lingering in New York just to
be near her. I hesitate to speak the whole truth, but he has surely done
that which you cannot forgive. You with your lofty ideas--Mrs. Spafford--he
has cut himself off from any right to your respect or love.

"And now I am here to-day to offer to do all in my power to help you. From
what I know of your husband's movements, he is likely to return to you
soon. You cannot meet him knowing that the lips that will salute you have
been pressed upon the lips of another woman, and that woman _your own
sister_, dear Mrs. Spafford!

"Ah! Now you understand, poor child. Your lips quiver! You have reason to
understand. I know, I know you cannot think what to do. Let me think for
you." His eyes were glowing and his face animated. He was using all his
persuasive power, and her gaze was fixed upon him as though he had
mesmerized her. She could not resist the flood-tide of his eloquence. She
could only look on and seem to be gradually turning to stone--frozen with
horror.

He felt he had almost won, and with demoniacal skill he phrased his
sentences.

"I am here for that purpose. I am here to help you and for no other
reason. In the stable are horses harnessed and a comfortable carriage. My
advice to you is to fly from here as fast as these fleet horses can carry
you. Where you go is for y