king me in her strong arms.

"'_Je le sais, mon Dieu, je le sais_,' exclaimed she, lifting her
clasped hands to heaven. Peggy did not understand French, but she
repeated the words awkwardly enough, yet I could interpret them.

"As they found it impossible to recall me to life, a physician was
summoned, and as soon as he came the stranger disappeared.

"'Don't think of her anymore,' said Peggy; 'don't, Mrs. St. James,--I
don't believe a word of her story,--she's crazy,--she's a lunatic, you
may be sure she is,--she looked stark mad.'

"I tried to believe this assertion, but something told me she was no
maniac. I tried to believe her an impostor,--I asserted she was,--but if
so, she transcended all the actresses in the world. I could not eat, I
could not bear you, my darling Gabriella, to be brought into my
presence. Your innocent smiles were daggers to my heart.

"But she came again, Theresa, the avenger,--she came followed by a
woman, leading by the hand a beautiful boy.

"Here was proof that needed no confirmation. Every infantine feature
bore the similitude of St. James. The eyes, the smile, his miniature
self was there. I no longer doubted,--no longer hesitated.

"'Leave me,' I cried, and despair lent me calmness. 'I resign all claims
to the name, the fortune, and the affections of him who has so cruelly
wronged us. Not for worlds would I remain even one day longer in the
home he has desecrated by his crimes. Respect my sorrows, and leave me.
You may return to-morrow.'

"'_Oh, juste ciel!_' she exclaimed. '_Je suis tres malheureuse._'

"Snatching her child in her arms, and raising it as high as her strength
could lift it, she called upon God to witness that it was only for his
sake she had asserted her legal rights; that, having lost the heart of
her husband, all she wished was to die. Then, sinking on her knees
before me, she entreated me to forgive her the wretchedness she had
caused.

"'_I_ forgive _you_?' I cried. 'Alas! it is I should supplicate your
forgiveness. I do ask it in the humility of a broken heart. But
go--go--if you would not see me die.'

"Terrified at my ghastly countenance, Peggy commanded the nurse to take
the child from the room. Theresa followed with lingering steps, casting
back upon me a glance of pity and remorse. I never saw her again.

"'And now, Peggy,' said I, 'you are the only friend I have in the wide
world. Yet I must leave you. With my child in my arms, I am going forth,