her word was plighted to Hubert
Lepel?

But then, she said to herself, she had never professed any great
affection for Hubert; she had not taken the initiative in any way. He
need not have asked her to marry him--he might have left her perfectly
free. She felt indignantly that she had been trifled with--that he had
asked her to be his wife without caring to make her so, and that he
might perhaps have trifled in the same manner with Cynthia West. If that
were the case, Enid Vane said to herself that she could never forgive
him. He had profaned love itself--the holiest of earth's mysteries--and
she resented the action, although she might gain by it her own freedom
and happiness.

It was even possible that this gain might be denied to her. Suppose,
when he was better, that he came back and claimed her promise,
repudiated Cynthia's attempt to earn his gratitude, and explained his
conduct in such a manner that no fair-minded person could refuse him
credence? What then could she do? Enid felt that she might not have the
strength to fight against him unless Maurice were at her side; and
Maurice had, unfortunately for her, been suddenly summoned to the North
of England to attend his father's death-bed. He had left Beechfield with
many fears for Enid's welfare; but he was of course obliged to go, and
had had no opportunity of declaring himself to the General as a suitor
for Enid's hand before his departure. For the moment therefore Enid was
quite alone; and, seeing the net in which she was caught--a net of fraud
and trickery and lies--her heart failed her, and she felt herself
helpless indeed.

She was in far more danger than she guessed; for Mrs. Vane looked upon
her as a deadly enemy, and was resolved that she should never have the
chance of confiding what she knew to another person. From what Hubert
had said, the girl had made up her mind to tell him all she knew when
once she was his wife. To tell Hubert was what Flossy was resolved that
Enid should never do. She should never marry Hubert or any other man;
sooner than betray Flossy's secrets, Enid Vane should die. The white
still woman with the brown eyes and yellow hair was ready to face the
chances of detection--ready to take life, if necessary, rather than see
her plans defeated and herself disgraced. With Enid out of the way, she
might not be safe; but she would be safer than she was now.

She took note however of the warning that Parker had given her. She had
been