wer to me. Let
it once become known that you tried to defile the innocent, to work harm
to one of mine, and you may suffer the fate of the unclean things to
which you belong by nature. The mob kills without delicacy. It will tear
you as the dogs tore the painted Jezebel."

"You are threatening me," she stammered with a show of pride.

"No. That would be a waste of time. I am warning you. You have still the
form of a woman, therefore I give you a chance. You are at the end of
your rope. Stretch it further, and it may become the noose to hang you.
You have defiled with your touch one whom I love. He kept his innocence,
so I let it pass. But a rat like you must be destroyed. Very soon too.
We are not going to stand your abominations, even if men like
Livingstone and Bradford encourage you. I am giving you a chance. What
do you say? Have I your promise to be silent?"

"You have," she replied brokenly.

He looked at her surprised. The mask of her brazen audacity remained,
but some feeling had overpowered her, and she began to weep like any
woman in silent humiliation. He left her without a word, knowing enough
of her sex to respect this inexplicable grief, and to wait for a more
favorable time to improve his acquaintance. "Sonia's mate," he said to
himself as he reached the street. The phrase never left him from that
day, and became a prophecy of woe afterwards. He writhed as he saw how
nearly the honor and happiness of Louis had fallen into the hands of
this wretch. Protected by the great, she could fling her dirt upon the
clean, and go unpunished. Sonia's mate! He had punished one creature of
her kind, and with God's help he would yet lash the backs of Sister
Claire and her supporters.

CHAPTER XXI.

AN ANXIOUS NIGHT.

Curran caught up with him as he turned into Broadway. He had waited to
learn if Arthur had any instructions, as he was now to return to Sister
Claire's office and explain as he might the astounding appearance of
Dillon at a critical moment.

"She's a ripe one," Arthur said, smiling at thought of her collapse, but
the next moment he frowned. "She's a devil, Curran, a handsome devil,
and we must deal with her accordingly--stamp her out like a snake. Did
you notice her?"

"No doubt she's a bad one," Curran answered thickly, but Arthur's bitter
words gave him a shiver, and he seemed to choke in his utterance.

"Make any explanation you like, Curran. She will accuse you of letting
me in perha