No one spoke, for no one knew what to say. Jean broke the silence,

saying coolly, "May I ask how those letters came into your possession?"

"In tracing out your past life, Sydney found your friend Hortense. She

was poor, money bribed her, and your letters were given up to him as

soon as received. Traitors are always betrayed in the end," replied

Edward sternly.

Jean shrugged her shoulders, and shot a glance at Gerald, saying with

her significant smile, "Remember that, monsieur, and allow me to hope

that in wedding you will be happier than in wooing. Receive my

congratulations, Miss Beaufort, and let me beg of you to follow my

example, if you would keep your lovers."

Here all the sarcasm passed from her voice, the defiance from her eye,

and the one unspoiled attribute which still lingered in this woman's

artful nature shone in her face, as she turned toward Edward and Bella

at their mother's side.

"You have been kind to me," she said, with grateful warmth. "I thank you

for it, and will repay it if I can. To you I will acknowledge that I am

not worthy to be this good man's wife, and to you I will solemnly

promise to devote my life to his happiness. For his sake forgive me, and

let there be peace between us."

There was no reply, but Edward's indignant eyes fell before hers. Bella

half put out her hand, and Mrs. Coventry sobbed as if some regret

mingled with her resentment. Jean seemed to expect no friendly

demonstration, and to understand that they forbore for Sir John's sake,

not for hers, and to accept their contempt as her just punishment.

"Come home, love, and forget all this," said her husband, ringing the

bell, and eager to be gone. "Lady Coventry's carriage."

And as he gave the order, a smile broke over her face, for the sound

assured her that the game was won. Pausing an instant on the threshold

before she vanished from their sight, she looked backward, and fixing on

Gerald the strange glance he remembered well, she said in her

penetrating voice, "Is not the last scene better than the first?"



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