"It was the hoa.r.s.e growl of a wild animal rather than the voice of a woman. She was imperial at that moment--and I acknowledge, Surry, that she was 'game to the last!'

"'Ah! you hate me, you despise me!' I said. 'I have had the misfortune to incur madam's displeasure! No more connubial happiness--no more endearments and sweet confidences--no more loving words, and glances--no more bliss!'

"She continued to glare at me.

"'I am unworthy of madam; I see that clearly,' I went on. 'I am only a poor little, plain little, insignificant little country clodhopper! I am nothing--a mere n.o.body,--while madam is--shall I tell you, madam?

While you are a convict--a bigamist,--and a poisoner! Are you not?'

"Her face became livid, but her defiant eyes never sank before my glance. I really admired her, Surry. No woman was ever braver than that one. I had supposed that these words would overwhelm her; that the discovery of my acquaintance with her past life, and full knowledge of her attempted crime, would crush her to the earth. Perhaps I had some remnant of pity for this woman. If she had been submissive, repentant!

but, instead of submission and confusion, she exhibited greater defiance than before. In the pale face her eyes burned like coals of fire--and it was rage which inflamed them.

"'So you have set your spies on me!' she exclaimed, in accents of inexpressible fury. 'You are a chivalric gentleman, truly! You are worthy of your boasted family! You pretend to love and confide in me--you look at me with smiles and eyes of affection--and all the time you are laying a trap for me--endeavoring to catch me and betray me!

Well, yes, sir! yes! What you have discovered through your spies is true. I _was_ tried and sentenced as a thief--I _was_ married when I first saw you--and it is this miserable creature, this offscouring of the kennels, this thief, that has become _the wife_ of the proud Mr.

Mohun--in the eyes of the world at least! I am so still--my character is untainted--dare to expose me and have me punished, and it is _your_ proud name that will be tarnished! _your_ grand escutcheon that will be blotted! Come! arrest me, expose me, drag me to justice! I will stand up in open court, and point my finger at you where you stand cowering, in the midst of jeers and laughter, and say: "There is Mr. Mohun, of the ancient family of the Mohuns,--he is the husband and the dupe of a thief!"'

"She was splendid as she uttered these words, Surry. They thrilled me, and made my blood flame. I half rose, nearly beside myself--then I resumed my seat and my coolness. A moment afterward I was as calm as I am at this moment, and said, laughing:--

"'So you have prepared that pretty little tableau, have you, madam? I compliment you on your skill;--and even more on your nerve. But have you not omitted one thing--a very trifling portion, it is true, of the indictment to be framed against you? I refer to the little scene of this evening, madam.'

"Her teeth closed with a snap. Otherwise she exhibited no emotion. Her flashing eyes continued to survey me with the former defiance.

"'Is there not an additional clause in the said indictment, madam?' I calmly continued, 'which the commonwealth's attorney will perhaps rely on more fully than upon all else in the doc.u.ment, to secure your conviction and punishment? You are not only a bigamist and an ex-convict,--you are also a poisoner, my dear madam, and may be hanged for that. Or, if not hanged--there is that handsome white house at Richmond, the state penitentiary. The least term which a jury can affix to your crime, will be eighteen years, if you are not sent there for life! For life!--think of that, madam. How very disagreeable it will be! Nothing around you but blank walls; no a.s.sociates but thieves and murderers--hard labor with these pretty hands--a hard bed for this handsome body--coa.r.s.e and wretched food for these dainty red lips--the dress, the food, the work, and the treatment of a convict!

Disagreeable, is it not, madam? But that is the least that a felon, convicted of an attempt to poison, can expect! There is only one point which I have omitted, and which may count for you. This life in prison will not be so hard to you--since your ladyship has already served your apprenticeship among felons.'

"The point at last was reached. Madam had listened with changing color, and my words seemed to paint the frightful scene in all its horror.

Suddenly fury mastered her. She rose and seemed clutching at some weapon to strike me.

"'You are _a gentleman_! you insult a woman.'

"'You are a poisoner, madam--you make tea for the gentleman!'

"'You are a coward! do you hear? a coward!'

"'I can not return, madam, the same reproach!' I replied, rising and bowing; 'it required some courage to attempt to poison me upon the very night of my wedding!'

"My words drove her to frenzy.

"'Beware!' she exclaimed, taking a step toward me, and putting her hand into her bosom.

"'Beware!' I said, with a laugh, 'beware of what, my dear Madam Laffarge?'

"'Of this!'

"And with a movement as rapid as lightning she drew from her breast a small silver-mounted pistol, which she aimed straight at my breast.

"I was not in a mood to care much for pistols, Surry. When a man is engaged in a little affair like that, bullets lose their influence on the nerves.

"'That is a pretty toy!' I said. 'Where did you procure it madam, the poisoner?'

"With a face resembling rather a hideous mask than a human countenance, she rushed upon me; placed the muzzle of the pistol on my very breast; and drew the trigger.

"The weapon snapped.

"A moment afterward I had taken it from her hand and thrown it into a corner.

"'Very well done!' I said. 'What a pity that you use such indifferent caps! Your pistol is as harmless as your tea!'

"She uttered a hoa.r.s.e cry, but did not recoil in the least, Surry! This woman was a curiosity. Instead of retreating from me, she clenched her small white hand, raised it above her head, and exclaimed:--

"'If _he_ only were here!'

"'_He_, madam?' I said. 'You refer to your respected _brother_--to Mr.

Mortimer?'

"'Yes! _he_ would make you repent your cowardly outrages and insults.'

"I looked at my watch, it was just eleven.

"'The hour is earlier than I thought, madam,' I said, 'but perhaps he has already arrived.'

"And advancing to the side of the lady, I took her arm, drew her toward the window, and said:--

"'Why not give your friend the signal you have agreed on, madam?'

"At a bound she reached the window, and struck a rapid series of blows with her fingers upon the pane.

"Five minutes afterward a heavy step was heard ascending the private staircase. I went to the door and unlocked it; the step approached--stopped at the door--the door opened, and Mortimer appeared.

"'Come in, my dear brother-in-law,' I said, 'we are waiting for you.'"

XXIII.

THE RESULT OF THE SIGNAL.

"Mortimer recoiled as if a blow had been suddenly struck at him. His astonishment was so comic that I began to laugh.

"'Good! you start!' I said. 'You thought I was dead by this time?'

"'Yes,' he coolly replied.

"As he spoke, his hand stole under the cloak in which he was wrapped, and I heard the click of a pistol as he c.o.c.ked it. I drew my own weapon, c.o.c.ked it in turn, and placing the muzzle upon Mortimer's breast, said:--

"'Draw your pistol and you are dead!'