Cruel As The Grave

Rosa Blondelle, who had stood spell-bound by the terrible gaze and

overwhelming words of Sybil, the wronged wife, now suddenly threw up her

hands, and with a low cry, fled from the room.

And Sybil dropped her arm and her voice at the same instant, and stood

dumb and motionless.

And now, at length, Lyon Berners spoke again.

"Sybil! you have uttered words that nothing on the part of that poor

lady should have provoked from you--words that I fear may never be

forgotten or forgiven! But--I know that she has a gentle and easy

nature. When you are cooler and more rational, I wish you to go to her

and be reconciled with her."

"With her! I am a Berners!" answered Sybil, haughtily.

"But you bitterly wrong that lady in your thoughts!"

"Bah! I caught her in your arms! on your breast! her lips clinging to

yours!"

"The first and last kiss! I swear it by all my hopes of Heaven,

Sybil--a brother's kiss!"

Sybil made a gesture of scorn and disgust.

"If I were not past laughing, I should have to laugh now," she said.

"And you will not believe this?"

She shook her head.

"And you will not be reconciled to this injured young stranger?"

"I! I am a lady--'or long have dreamed so,'" answered Sybil, haughtily.

"At least the daughter of an honest mother. And I will not even permit

such a woman as that to live under the same roof with me another day.

She leaves in the morning."

"The house is yours! You must do as you please! But this I tell you:

that in the same hour which sees that poor and friendless young creature

driven from the shelter of this roof, I leave it too, and leave it for

ever."

If Lyon Berners really meant this, or thought to bring his fiery-hearted

wife to terms by the threat, he was mistaken in her character.

"Oh, go!" she answered bitterly--"go! I will not harbor her. And why

should I seek to detain you? Your heart has left me already; why should

I wish to retain its empty case? Go as soon as you like, Lyon Berners.

Good-night, and--good-bye," she said, and with a wave of her hand she

passed from the room.

He was mad to have spoken as he did; madder still to let her leave him

so! how mad, he was soon to learn.