They were together! alone!--at the eternal chess! Julia sat upon the
sofa. Edgerton in front of her. A small table stood between them.
I had arrived at an opportune moment. Julia's hand was extended
to the board. I saw the very piece it rested upon. It was the white
queen; but, just at that moment--nothing could be more clearly
visible--the hand of Edgerton was laid upon hers. She instantly withdrew
it, and looked upward. Her face was the color of carnation--flushed
--so said my demon, with the overwhelming passions in her breast.
The next moment the table was thrust aside--the chess-men tumbled
upon the floor, and Edgerton kneeling before my wife had grasped
her about the waist, and was dragging her to his knee.
I saw no more. A sudden darkness passed over my eyes. A keen,
quick, thrilling pang went through my whole frame, and I fell from
the tree, upon the earth below, in utter unconsciousness.