"Thank you, it has overtaken her, and a very happy one she finds it."

A soft voice uttered the words, and an apparition appeared at the door,

which made all start and recoil with amazement--Jean Muir leaning on the

arm of Sir John.

"How dare you return?" began Edward, losing the self-control so long

preserved. "How dare you insult us by coming back to enjoy the mischief

you have done? Uncle, you do not know that woman!"

"Hush, boy, I will not listen to a word, unless you remember where you

are," said Sir John with a commanding gesture.

"Remember your promise: love me, forgive me, protect me, and do not

listen to their accusations," whispered Jean, whose quick eye had

discovered the letters.

"I will; have no fears, my child," he answered, drawing her nearer as he

took his accustomed place before the fire, always lighted when Mrs.

Coventry was down.

Gerald, who had been pacing the room excitedly, paused behind Lucia's

chair as if to shield her from insult; Bella clung to her mother; and

Edward, calming himself by a strong effort, handed his uncle the

letters, saying briefly, "Look at those, sir, and let them speak."

"I will look at nothing, hear nothing, believe nothing which can in any

way lessen my respect and affection for this young lady. She has

prepared me for this. I know the enemy who is unmanly enough to belie

and threaten her. I know that you both are unsuccessful lovers, and this

explains your unjust, uncourteous treatment now. We all have committed

faults and follies. I freely forgive Jean hers, and desire to know

nothing of them from your lips. If she has innocently offended, pardon

it for my sake, and forget the past."

"But, Uncle, we have proofs that this woman is not what she seems. Her

own letters convict her. Read them, and do not blindly deceive

yourself," cried Edward, indignant at his uncle's words.

A low laugh startled them all, and in an instant they saw the cause of

it. While Sir John spoke, Jean had taken the letters from the hand which

he had put behind him, a favorite gesture of his, and, unobserved, had

dropped them on the fire. The mocking laugh, the sudden blaze, showed

what had been done. Both young men sprang forward, but it was too late;

the proofs were ashes, and Jean Muir's bold, bright eyes defied them, as

she said, with a disdainful little gesture. "Hands off, gentlemen! You

may degrade yourselves to the work of detectives, but I am not a

prisoner yet. Poor Jean Muir you might harm, but Lady Coventry is beyond

your reach."

"Lady Coventry!" echoed the dismayed family, in varying tones of

incredulity, indignation, and amazement.

"Aye, my dear and honored wife," said Sir John, with a protecting arm

about the slender figure at his side; and in the act, the words, there

was a tender dignity that touched the listeners with pity and respect

for the deceived man. "Receive her as such, and for my sake, forbear all

further accusation," he continued steadily. "I know what I have done. I

have no fear that I shall repent it. If I am blind, let me remain so

till time opens my eyes. We are going away for a little while, and when

we return, let the old life return again, unchanged, except that Jean

makes sunshine for me as well as for you."




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