this show of consideration to one she
might call friend, but who could hold no comparison in her mind with the
safely or recovery of the child which, if not hers, was the beloved
object of her husband's heart and only too deeply cherished by herself?
Did she fear her charming neighbor? Was the bond between them founded on
something besides love, and did she apprehend that a discovery of Mrs.
Carew's connection with Gwendolen's disappearance would only precipitate
her own disgrace and open up to public recognition the false
relationship she held toward the little heiress? Hard questions these,
but ones which must soon be faced and answered; for wretched as was Mrs.
Ocumpaugh's position and truly as I sympathized with her misery, I was
none the less resolved, to force such acknowledgments from her as would
allow me to approach Mrs. Carew with a definite accusation such as even
that daring spirit could not withstand.

Thus resolved, and resisting all temptation to hazard an interview with
the latter lady before I had seen Mrs. Ocumpaugh again, I made my way up
slowly through the grounds and entered by the side door just as my watch
told me that the half-hour of my waiting was over.

Miss Porter was in the upper hall, but turned aside at my approach with
a meaning gesture in the direction of the boudoir. I thought that her
eyes looked red; certainly she was trembling very much; and with this
poor preparation for an interview before which the strongest and most
experienced man might quail, I advanced for the second time that morning
to the door behind which the distracted mother awaited me.

If I knocked I do not remember it. I rather think she opened the door
for me herself upon hearing my step in the hall. At all events we were
soon standing again face to face, and the battle of our two wills--for
it would be nothing less now--had begun.

She was the first to speak. Braving my inquiring look with eyes in whose
depths determination struggled with growing despair, she asked me
peremptorily, almost wildly:

"Have you told any one? Do you mean to publish my shame to the world? I
see decision in your face. Does it mean that? Tell me! Does it mean
that?"

"No, madam; far be it from me to harbor such an intention unless driven
to it by the greatest necessity. Your secret is your own; my only reason
for betraying my knowledge of it was the hope I cherished of its
affording us some clue to the identity of Gwendolen's abductor