as might befit an outraged
and injured wife. But as she thus turned to look at him the glance
that met hers was one before which her fury subsided. It was a glance
upon which she could not look and cherish hate, or even coldness; for
she saw in his face a wild rapture, and in his eyes a gleam of
exultant joy, while the flushed cheeks and the ecstatic smile showed
how deeply and how truly he loved her. On that face there was no
cloud of shame, no trace of embarrassment, no sign of any
consciousness of acts that might awaken her displeasure. There was
nothing there but that old tenderness which she had once or twice
seen on the face of Windham--a tenderness which was all for her. And
she knew by that sign that Guy was Windham; and being Windham, he was
hers, and hers alone. At this all her hardness, and all her anger,
and all the fury of her passion were dispelled as quickly as they had
arisen, and a great calm, full and deep, came over all her being. He
loved her! That was enough. The fears which had tormented her since
Mrs. Hart's revelation, the fury which had arisen but a few moments
ago at the dark promptings of jealousy, were now all dispelled, and
she saw in Lord Chetwynde her own Windham.

Quickly and swiftly had these thoughts and feelings come and gone;
but in that moment, when Zillah's attention was diverted to Lord
Chetwynde, Hilda gained more of her self-command. All was lost; but
still, even in her despair, she found a fresh strength. Here all were
her enemies; she was in their power and at their mercy; her very life
was now at their disposal; they could wreak on her, if they chose, a
full and ample vengeance; yet the thought of all this only
strengthened her the more, for that which deepened her despair only
intensified her hate. And so it was that at this last moment, when
all was lost, with her enemies thus before her, the occasion only
served to stimulate her. Her strength had returned; she summoned up
all her energies, and stood grandly at bay. She rose to her feet and
confronted them all--defiant, haughty, and vindictive--and brought
against them all the unconquerable pride of her strong and stubborn
nature.

"Tell me again," said Obed Chute, "what name was it that you gave
this woman?"

"I am Zillah, daughter of General Pomeroy, and this woman is Hilda
Krieff," was the reply.

"Hilda--Hilda--Hilda Krieff! Hilda Krieff!" said Obed Chute. "My good
Lord!"

But Hilda did not notice this, nor any