But at that instant a little cry from the adjoining room fell upon her ears, and immediately all her natural pride and energy returned to her aid.

She straightened herself and lifted her head proudly a look of firm resolve settling upon her face and gleaming in her eyes.

“There are proofs,” she said, in a low, firm tone, “even though I have not my marriage certificate and though some people may doubt the truth of what I assert, and—­I will yet have them.  My father, who would have been my strongest helper, is dead, but there are three other witnesses living who can swear that I am a lawful wife.  There must be records also, and, madam, I will move heaven and earth to establish my rightful position in life.”

Mrs. Farnum trembled before this indomitable resolution.

“And would you be willing to occupy it, even if you could establish it?” she asked, with a covert sneer, “would you force yourself into a position which, appearances go to prove, was never intended to be given to you?  Would you force yourself upon a man who had subjected you to the indignity of repudiating you as a wife and put another in your place?”

Virgie’s head reeled beneath the force of these cruel questions, and she swayed dizzily, as if about to fall, for a moment.

Then again with a mighty effort she recovered herself.

“No,” she cried, her beautiful lips curling with, scorn, every pulse in her body throbbing with contempt “the chosen mistress of Heathdale may keep her position after I have proven my right to it, if she prizes it enough to pay the price of her own dishonor; but my child is also the lawful child of Sir William Heath—­she is the heiress to all his possessions and she shall yet occupy the place in the world that rightfully belongs to her, no matter who else may stand in her path.  It may take time to accomplish all this, but, mark me, Mrs. Farnum, and tell your ‘proud, unimpeachable family’ at Heathdale so, if you choose, it shall be accomplished.”

“Then of course you will not be able to sail immediately for England as you at first proposed to do,” returned Mrs. Farnum, her heart leaping with joy as Virgie’s words told her that she had changed her mind regarding her first threat.

“No, I can see, now I come to consider the matter, that it would be folly for me to attempt to gain my rights without being armed with positive proof of what I assert.  It exists, however, though it will necessitate much trouble and expense to secure it.  Three months hence, however, I shall hope to have it in my hands, then, let your ‘peer of the realm’ and his ‘honored family’ take warning, for a righteous judgment will surely overtake them for the wrong which I suffer to-day.  Now go—­leave me if you please; you may have meant well in telling me what you have, but, oh! you have ruined my life and all my hopes,” Virgie concluded, with a moan and gesture full of despair.

Her strength was failing her; the bitterness of death was upon her and she longed to be alone, for she could not endure that any one should witness her cruel humiliation.