"Yes; do I not speak clearly? And as you have been plotting and scheming for some time against me, I would advise you to leave, also. Bristed Hall," said he sneeringly, "is likely to prove an agreeable shelter to you."

"_I_ leave!" said I, now fairly awake to the danger. "What do you mean, sir?"

"I mean," he replied with diabolical blandness, "that this lady is my wife, and will from this time take charge of this establishment."

"Richard Bristed, you cannot, dare not make that a.s.sertion! I am your wife, though I acknowledge it with shame and sorrow. He has misled you, madam," said I, turning to the lady. "You are mistaken if you suppose I shall abandon my rights."

"Ha, ha!" he laughed, "_she_ knows all about you. You cannot enlighten her, so you had better hasten and pack your trunks."

"I shall not leave, sir; I shall defend my position here. I am a woman, and you shall not sully my fair name," said I, maddened by his manner.

"Your brother will help me--the law will aid me. Here I remain!"

"You will?" said he; "we will see. This house is mine," and he drew out his pistol with which to frighten me.

"Richard," said I, hoping to restore him to calmness, "put up that pistol. You cannot, dare not use it."

"Dare not!" he exclaimed, coming up to me, his hot breath smelling of wine; "I will show you if I dare not!"

I was alarmed as he suddenly c.o.c.ked the weapon. What might he not do in his drunken excitement?

"She is a coward, d.i.c.k," said the lady. "Don't trouble yourself about her," and then turning to me and stamping her foot, "How dare you say you are his wife!" she exclaimed. "Go out from here!"

I shook from head to foot, but did not leave.

"Come, d.i.c.k, give me the pistol," said the lady; "You don't know what you might do with it."

"Don't meddle with me," said he, as she attempted to wrest it from his grasp. "Why does that girl stand glowering at me?"

"O Richard," I sobbed, "my heart is ready to burst! Don't act so; remember Herbert!"

"Remember Herbert!" he muttered; "I do remember him. You killed him with your pranks, and now you would accuse me. Go, leave my house, or I will compel you."

I believe he would have fired upon me at that moment, but the lady sprang forward and caught his arm. A slight struggle ensued, then followed a sharp report, and the pistol fell to the ground; a fearful shriek rent the air, and Richard fell heavily to the floor, covered with blood. I rushed to help him. He raised his gla.s.sy eyes to mine, and faintly murmuring "My G.o.d! I am lost!" expired.

CHAPTER XXI.

The shock was too much for me. I was seized with fearful dizziness. The objects in the room became black before my eyes, and I fell to the floor beside the bleeding corpse, insensible.

Convulsions, I was afterwards told, followed this swoon. A raging fever attacked me, and for weeks my life was despaired of. At length the crisis pa.s.sed; my youthful const.i.tution conquered the disease, and I was again restored to the world in which I had experienced so much joy and so much misery.

One morning the delicious feeling of returning consciousness revived me.

Where was I? The room looked familiar, yet strange. Surely I had seen that silken coverlet before! The carved footboard of the bed on which I was lying was not new to my sight. My weak brain was busy with conjectures, when a woman approached, carrying a gla.s.s and spoon. It was Mary, the housekeeper of Bristed Hall.

"Why, Mary, are you here?" I asked in surprise.

"Yes, Miss, but you must not talk. Take these drops. I am heartily glad you are better, Miss."

A sense of rest and peace stole over me, followed by a few hours of natural sleep.

On opening my eyes from this refreshing slumber, I found Mary still sitting near me.

"Mary," said I, "you must tell me where I am; everything here looks so natural, and yet as if I were in a dream."

"You are not dreaming, Miss. You are in your own chamber in Bristed Hall."

Bristed Hall! A warm gush of grat.i.tude pervaded my being. So I was not friendless! I was cared for.

"Where is Mr. Bristed?" I asked after a pause.

"We have persuaded him to drive out, miss, as the doctor said you were out of danger. Anxiety for you and grief for Herbert's death have quite taken his strength away."

"I must get up, Mary. You must help me to dress."

"Oh no, miss!" she replied; "you are not strong enough yet."

"I am quite strong. Besides, it will revive me; I am weary of the bed, and need a change."

She acquiesced in my wish, dressed me neatly, and smoothed my hair.

"Now, take me down," I requested. "I wish to surprise Mr. Bristed."

Of course she remonstrated, said I would bring on the fever again, and all that; but as I persisted in my determination, she led me down the stairs. The fresh air invigorated me; I felt every minute increased power. At my request, she took me to Mr. Bristed's conservatory. The bright flowers, the singing birds in their ornamented cages, and the adjoining study with its well-filled shelves, all reminded me of the past. Tears came to my eyes as I recalled the bitter changes I had seen since leaving that sunny home!

CHAPTER XXII.

I had not been long in the conservatory when I heard the wheels of a carriage. Mr. Bristed had returned. He ascended the steps: I heard his voice in the hall. His first words were an inquiry after my welfare. He was told that I was better. Pa.s.sing through his apartments, he entered the study. I could see him plainly from the windows of the conservatory.

He looked, I thought, thin and sad; his hair had become sprinkled with gray since the time when I resided in his mansion. Turning to Mary, who was waiting there for me, he said: "I feel faint; bring me a cup of tea."

Mary left the room on her mission, and I stole from my hiding place.

"Mr. Bristed," whispered I, coming softly up behind his chair.

He started. "Whose voice is that? Agnes, where are you?"

"Here, sir," I answered, as I touched him lightly.

He turned toward me, his face flushed with pleasure, his eyes expectant.

"You, Agnes--you, verily? How came you here? I thought you were ill off your pillow. What pleasant trick is this you have been playing me?" Then taking both my hands in his and surveying me, his eyes the while beaming with soft pleasure, he said: