Cruel As The Grave

"No; he is not here yet; but doubtless he will make his appearance

presently," answered Mr. Berners.

"Do you really not know who he is?"

"Not in the least; nor does any one else here know," replied Mr.

Berners.

Suddenly Rosa looked up, started, and with a suppressed cry, muttered: "Good heavens! Look at Sybil!"

Mr. Berners followed the direction of her gaze across the table, and

even he started at the sight of Sybil's face.

That face wore a look of anguish, despair, and desperation that seemed

fixed there forever; for in all its agony of passion that tortured and

writhen face was as still, cold, hard, and lifeless as marble, except

that from its eyes streamed glances as from orbs of fire.

Mr. Berners suddenly turned his eyes from her, and looked up and down

the table. Fortunately now every one was too busily engaged in eating,

drinking, laughing, talking, flirting, and gossiping to attend to the

looks of their hostess.

"I must go and speak to her," said Lyon Berners in extreme anxiety and

displeasure, as he left Rosa's side, and made his way around the table,

until he stood immediately behind his wife. He touched her on her

shoulder to attract her attention. She started as if an adder had stung

her, but she never looked around.

"Sybil, my dearest, you are ill. What is the matter?" he whispered,

trying to avoid being overheard by others.

"Do NOT touch me! Do not speak to me, unless you wish to see me drop

dead or go mad before you!" she answered in tones so full of suppressed

energy, that he impulsively drew back.

He waited for a moment in dire dread lest the assembled company should

see the state of his wife, and then he ventured to renew his efforts.

"Sybil, my darling, you are really not well. Let me lead you out of this

crowded room," he whispered, very gently, laying his hand upon her

shoulder.

She dashed it off as if it had been some venomous reptile, and turned

upon him a look flaming with fiery wrath.

"Sybil you will certainly draw the attention of our guests," he

persisted, with much less gentleness than he had before spoken.

"If you touch me, or speak to me but once more--if you do not leave me

on the instant, I will draw the attention of our guests, and draw it

with a vengeance too!" she fiercely retorted, never once removing from

him her flaming eyes.