to
be known as the widow of the man who repudiated me? Never! That was why
I adopted the name of Montague, and I still wish to be known as such.
Ah!--but if I have to go to--Oh, pray plead for me!" she cried, turning
again to Mona; "do not let them send me to prison."

Just at that moment Mr. Palmer's wan face appeared again at the rear door
of the drawing-room.

He beckoned to Ray, who immediately left the room, and Mona, who had
grown very thoughtful after Mrs. Montague's last appeal, left her seat
and approached the lawyers.

"Mr. Graves--Mr. Corbin," she said, in a low tone, which only they
could hear, "cannot something be done to keep this matter from becoming
public? I cannot bear the thought of having my dear father's name become
the subject of any scandal in connection with this woman. It would wound
me very sorely to have it known that Mrs. Richmond Montague, who has
figured so conspicuously in New York society, was his discarded wife;
that she robbed me of my fortune, and why; that she--the woman bearing
his name--was the unprincipled schemer who defrauded Mr. Justin Cutler
and Mrs. Vanderheck, and robbed Mr. Palmer of valuable diamonds. I could
not endure," she went on, flushing crimson, "that my name should be
brought before the public in connection with Louis Hamblin and that
wretched voyage from New Orleans to Havana."

"But, my dear Miss Dinsmore--" began Mr. Corbin.

"Please let me continue," Mona interposed, smiling faintly, yet betraying
considerable feeling. "I think I know what you wished to remark--that she
has had the benefit of all this money which she has obtained under false
pretenses, and that she ought to suffer the extreme penalty of the law
for her misdeeds. She cannot fail to suffer all, and more than any one
could desire, in the failure of her schemes, in the discovery of her
wickedness, and in the loss of the fortune of which she felt so secure.
But even if she were indifferent to all this I should still beg you to
consider the bitter humiliation which a public trial would entail upon
me, and the reproach upon my father's hitherto unsullied name. If--if I
will cause Mr. Cutler and Mrs. Vanderheck to be reimbursed for the loss
which they sustained through Mrs. Montague's dishonesty, cannot you
arrange some way by which a committal and a trial can be avoided?"

"I am afraid it would be defeating all law and justice," Mr. Corbin began
again, and just at that moment Ray returned to the