She comforted and encouraged Josephine and--deceived her.
(This was the climax.) "All is well, my poor coward," she cried; "your fears are all imaginary; another has owned the child, and the story is believed." "Another! impossible! He would not believe it." "He does believe it--he shall believe it." Rose then, feeling by no means sure that Josephine, terrified as she was, would consent to let her sister come to shame to screen her, told her boldly that Jacintha had owned herself the mother of the child, and that Raynal's only feeling towards HER was pity, and regret at having so foolishly frightened her, weakened as she was by illness.

"I told him you had been ill, dear.

But how came you on the ground ?" "I had come to myself; I was on my knees praying.

He tapped.

I heard his voice.