Do you know what Ralph Mainwaring will attempt next?
He will try to implicate you in the murder of Hugh Mainwaring!" "That will be no more than you yourself attempted at the inquest," he answered.
"Ah, but his motive is different; in my case it was but the resort of a weak woman to divert suspicion from herself; but he will seek to fasten this crime upon you to defeat you, to crush and ruin you, because he fears you as his opponent, and it is within my power to clear you from any charges he may bring against you." Her voice sank nearly to a whisper, her eyes were dilated, and she was trembling with excitement.
He watched her intently for a moment, then spoke in a tone of calm command.

"Tell me how you could help me.

What do you know of that affair ?" "Listen, and I will tell you," and leaning towards him, she whispered a few words in his ears.
Only a few words, but Harold Mainwaring started as from a shock, while his face grew as pale as her own, and it was with difficulty he could control his voice, as he demanded in quick, excited tones,-- "Do you know what you are saying?
Are you speaking the truth ?" "Yes, before Heaven, it is the truth, and the horror of it has haunted me day and night; the thought of it has driven me nearly mad, but I dared not breathe it to any living human being." "You have told no one else what you have just told me ?" "No, I dared not." He asked a few more questions which she answered, and from her manner he was convinced that she spoke the truth.

Then he sat for a moment silent, his head bowed, his eyes covered, lost in thought, while strangely commingled emotions surged within his breast.
At last she broke the silence.

"It will help you--what I have told you--will it not ?" "It is of inestimable value to me," he answered, but instead of exultation, there was a strange sadness in his voice.
"You will let me help you, and you will be a son to me, will you not ?" He looked at her with an expression of mingled pity and bitterness, and then, without replying, lifted her gently but firmly and reseated her, while he himself remained standing at a little distance.