Cruel As The Grave

"I know that now," said Sybil, sadly.

"And now, dearest, I would like to make 'a clean breast of it,' as the

sinners say, and tell you all--the whole 'head and front of my

offending' with that poor dead woman," said Mr. Berners, seating himself

on the floor beside his wife.

Sybil did not repel his offered confidence, for though her jealousy had

died a violent death, she was still very much interested in hearing his

confession.

Then Lyon Berners told her everything, up to the very last moment when

she had surprised them in the first and last kiss that had ever passed

between them.

"But in all, and through all, my heart, dear wife, was loyal in its love

to you," he concluded.

"I know that, dearest Lyon--I know that well," replied Sybil.

And with that tenderness towards the faults of the dead, which all

magnanimous natures share, she forbore to say, or even to think, how

utterly unprincipled had been the course of Rosa Blondelle from the

first to the last of their acquaintance with that vain and frivolous

coquette.

Sybil was now almost sinking with weariness. Lyon perceived her

condition, and said: "Remain here, dear Sybil, while I go and try to collect some boughs and

leaves to make you a couch. The sun must have dried up the moisture by

this time."

And he went out and soon returned with his arms full of boughs, which he

spread upon the flagstones. Then he took off his own overcoat and

covered them with it.

"Now, dear Sybil," he said, "if you will divest yourself of your long

riding skirt, you may turn that into a blanket to cover with, and so

sleep quite comfortably."

With a grave smile Sybil followed his advice, and then she laid herself

down on the rude couch he had spread for her. No sooner had her head

touched it, than she sank into that deep sleep of prostration which is

more like a swoon than a slumber.

Lyon Berners covered her carefully with the long riding skirt, and stood

watching her for some minutes. But she neither spoke nor stirred;

indeed, she scarcely breathed.

Then, after still more carefully tucking the covering around her, he

left her, and walked out to explore the surroundings of the chapel.