"The matter is--ruin! I am a felon, my lady! And it were better that you

had been crushed to death in that railway collision than lived to rejoin

me here! I am a wretch, too base to live! And I wish the earth would

open beneath our feet and swallow us!"

The lady stepped back, appalled, and before she could think of a reply,

the door opened and Mrs. Brudenell, who had been, awakened by the

disturbance, sailed into the room.

"It is my mother!" said the young man, struggling for composure. And

rising, he took the hand of the stranger and led her to the elder lady,

saying: "This is the Countess of Hurstmonceux, madam; I commend her to your

care."

And having done this, he turned and abruptly left the room and the

house.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024