the idea of frenzy with all the
sympathy her situation called for. Yet I felt that I could not let her
leave before we had come to some understanding. But how express myself?
How say here and now in the presence of a sympathetic but unenlightened
third party what it would certainly be difficult enough for me to utter
to herself in the privacy of that secluded apartment in which we had met
and talked before our confidence was broken into by this impetuous act
of hers.

Not seeing at the moment any natural way out of my difficulties, I stood
in painful confusion, conscious of Miss Porter's eyes and also conscious
that unless some miracle came to my assistance I must henceforth play
but a sorry figure in this affair, when my eyes, which had fallen to the
ground, chanced upon a morsel of paper so insignificant in size and of
such doubtful appearance that the two ladies must have wondered to see
me stoop and with ill-concealed avidity pick it up and place it in my
pocket.

Mrs. Ocumpaugh, whose false strength was fast leaving her, now muttered
some words which were quite unintelligible to me, though they caused
Miss Porter to make me a motion very expressive of a dismissal. I did
not accept it as such, however, without making one effort to regain my
advantage. At the foot of the steps I paused and glanced back at Mrs.
Ocumpaugh. She was still looking my way, but her chin had fallen on her
breast, and she seemed to sustain herself erect only by a powerful
effort. Again her pitiable and humiliating position appealed to me, and
it was with some indication of feeling that I finally said:

"Am I not to have an opportunity of finishing the conversation so
unhappily interrupted, Mrs. Ocumpaugh? I am not satisfied, and I do not
believe you can be, with the partial disclosures I then made. Afford me,
I pray, a continuation of that interview, if only to make plain to me
your wishes. Otherwise I may fall into some mistake--say or do something
which I might regret--for matters can not stand where they are. You know
that, do you not, madam?"

"Adele! go! go!" This to Miss Porter. "I must have a few words more with
Mr. Trevitt. I had forgotten what I owe him in the frenzy which
possessed me."

"Do you wish to talk to him _here_?" asked that lady, with very marked
anxiety.

"No, no; it is too cold, too dark. I think I can walk to Mrs. Carew's.
Will you join me there, Mr. Trevitt?"

I bowed; but as she passed near me in going out,