"She is right!" muttered Coventry, who had flushed scarlet with

shame and anger, as his folly became known and Lucia listened in

astonished silence.

"Only one more, and my distasteful task will be nearly over," said

Edward, unfolding the last of the papers. "This is not a letter, but a

copy of one written three nights ago. Dean boldly ransacked Jean Muir's

desk while she was at the Hall, and, fearing to betray the deed by

keeping the letter, she made a hasty copy which she gave me today,

begging me to save the family from disgrace. This makes the chain

complete. Go now, if you will, Gerald. I would gladly spare you the pain

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of hearing this."

"I will not spare myself; I deserve it. Read on," replied Coventry,

guessing what was to follow and nerving himself to hear it. Reluctantly

his brother read these lines: "The enemy has surrendered! Give me joy, Hortense; I can be the

wife of this proud monsieur, if I will. Think what an honor for the

divorced wife of a disreputable actor. I laugh at the farce and

enjoy it, for I only wait till the prize I desire is fairly mine, to

turn and reject this lover who has proved himself false to brother,

mistress, and his own conscience. I resolved to be revenged on both,

and I have kept my word. For my sake he cast off the beautiful woman

who truly loved him; he forgot his promise to his brother, and put

by his pride to beg of me the worn-out heart that is not worth a

good man's love. Ah well, I am satisfied, for Vashti has suffered

the sharpest pain a proud woman can endure, and will feel another

pang when I tell her that I scorn her recreant lover, and give him

back to her, to deal with as she will."

Coventry started from his seat with a fierce exclamation, but Lucia

bowed her face upon her hands, weeping, as if the pang had been sharper

than even Jean foresaw.

"Send for Sir John! I am mortally afraid of this creature. Take her

away; do something to her. My poor Bella, what a companion for you! Send

for Sir John at once!" cried Mrs. Coventry incoherently, and clasped her

daughter in her arms, as if Jean Muir would burst in to annihilate the

whole family. Edward alone was calm.

"I have already sent, and while we wait, let me finish this story. It is

true that Jean is the daughter of Lady Howard's husband, the pretended

clergyman, but really a worthless man who married her for her money. Her

own child died, but this girl, having beauty, wit and a bold spirit,

took her fate into her own hands, and became an actress. She married an

actor, led a reckless life for some years; quarreled with her husband,

was divorced, and went to Paris; left the stage, and tried to support

herself as governess and companion. You know how she fared with the

Sydneys, how she has duped us, and but for this discovery would have

duped Sir John. I was in time to prevent this, thank heaven. She is

gone; no one knows the truth but Sydney and ourselves; he will be

silent, for his own sake; we will be for ours, and leave this dangerous

woman to the fate which will surely overtake her."




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