‘’I burned them before his death, in obedience to his injunctions.’

‘’You burned them!  I will not believe it!’ she exclaimed, in a loud voice, and with a penetrating glance.

’I felt the blood rush to my face; she noticed my anger, and at once added, in milder tone: 

’’Pardon me! pardon me!  I knew not what I said; I am well-nigh crazy; I do believe you, I do indeed; forgive me, and think of the despair to which the loss of those papers reduces me.  I have no copy, and with them my secret perishes.  I am ruined—­ruined irretrievably.  The mine is known now only to Pepito!’

‘’Then, madame, on him you must hereafter rely.’

’’Explain to me, pray, how could Arthur, on his dying-bed, have been guilty of so cruel, so mean an act?  How could he despoil the woman who had trusted him, and leave her not only forlorn, but destitute?’

’This question embarrassed me, and I was conning an answer, when Adele resumed: 

’’Let no false delicacy restrain you; speak out, Mr. Rideau; adversity has taught me endurance, if not courage.’

’’Since, madame, you absolutely extort it from me, I must admit that a few moments before he expired, Mr. Livermore—­’

‘’Speak out, plainly; I beg of you, conceal nothing.’

’’Well, madame, the words he used were:  ’I destroy these papers because they were bought with blood.  Ten months ago General Ramiro died, at New-Orleans, by poison—­poison administered by Adele!’’

’’Poor Arthur! what agony he must have suffered—­he must have been delirious.  O Arthur! why was I not beside you?  Poor Arthur!’ As she uttered these words, she raised her streaming eyes to heaven; her lips moved as if in prayer, and a deadly pallor overspread her countenance.

’In a short time her fortitude returned, and turning toward me, she said, in a voice which betrayed no emotion: 

’’Let us turn from the past and look at the present.  Difficulties surround and threaten to overwhelm me.  Before I can determine how they are to be met, I have a proposition to make to you, Mr. Rideau, to which I must have an immediate answer.  Will you become my partner in this business?’

‘’Have you enough confidence in me?’

’’I have; and for this reason:  you have not sought to meddle in this matter, but from the outset have striven to shun it; you have not obtruded yourself, but been drawn into it in spite of your wishes.  Do you accept my proposition?  Yes, or no?’

‘’I accept,’ I replied, moderating my joyful feelings as well as I possibly could.

‘’Such being your decision, what course do you advise?’

‘’Immediate action, for minutes are precious.’

’’I foresee we shall agree perfectly.  To-day my host purposes starting for the capital; I shall accompany him.  If you return without delay, the remainder of the day will suffice to prepare for the journey, and to-morrow we will start for the opal-mine.’