cruel smile. "Irene
is living! Is it possible that you did not know it?"'"

CHAPTER XXVII

"GRIM FIGURES TRACED BY SORROW'S FIERY HAND"

The lamp which stood on Paul's writing-table had gone out, and only
a few dull red embers remained in the grate. By moving a single yard
backwards, Paul was almost lost in the deep shadows which hung about
the room, whilst such light as there was fell directly upon the
priest's pale face. During those last few moments his voice had grown
a shade more solemn--more intense. Paul, who stood looking out at
him from the darkness with dazed senses, like a man in a dream, never
doubted for an instant, although perhaps he scarcely realized the full
meaning of the story to which he was listening.

"It must have been in this very room," Father Adrian continued,
looking around him, "that your father and Count Hirsfeld stood face to
face. But you are naturally impatient. I will take up the story again
in your father's own words to me.

* * * * *

"'It was several moments before I could collect myself sufficiently
to answer Count Hirsfeld. Everything seemed dim and unreal around me.
Only that calm, mocking face remained steadfast, and his words rang in
my ears.

"'"It is a lie!" I gasped. "We stood together by her grave! She is
dead!"

"'The calmness suddenly vanished from my tormentor's face and manner.
His eyes were ablaze with mingled triumph and hate. "You thought so,
you poor fool!" he hissed out at me across the table. "Bah! you were a
fool! You were easily deceived! Listen!

"'"You thought it a light thing to carry off the only daughter of the
last Count of Cruta. 'Twas easily done, no doubt; but you made for
yourself enemies of men from whose vengeance you were bound to suffer.
One was the Count whose daughter you had dishonoured, and whose proud
name you disgraced; the other was myself, the man whom she was to have
married--myself, who loved her! Do you think that because I did not
seek you out and shoot you as you deserved, that I forgot? There were
men on the island who loved their lord, and who at the word from him
would have hunted you down and murdered you. If he restrained them,
do you imagine he was willing to bear this great dishonour without
striking a blow? Bah! it was my word that said 'wait,' my counsel
which saved you from death as too light a punishment. There is another
way, I said. So we waited.

"'"It was my persuasions