‘What a pity it was to cut it up,’ she said, pointing to the rags of Jael and Sisera.

’Never mind the picture now.  Dreadful as it is, you must allow yourself to think of him for a few minutes.’

’Think of what!  Oh, God!  Yes.  Conway, you must tell me what to do.  Was everything gone?  It isn’t about myself.  I don’t mind about myself.  I wish it was me instead of him.  I do.  I do.’

‘No wishing is of any avail.’

’But, Conway, how did it happen?  Do you think it is true?  That man would say anything to gain his object.  Is he here now?’

‘I believe he is here still.’

’I won’t see him.  Remember that.  Nothing on earth can make me see him.’

’It may be necessary, but I do not think it will be;—­at any rate, not yet.’

’I will never see him.  I believe that he has murdered my husband.  I do.  I feel sure of it.  Now I think of it I am quite sure of it.  And he will murder you too;—­about that girl.  He will.  I tell you I know the man.’  Dalrymple simply shook his head, smiling sadly.  ’Very well!  You will see.  But, Conway, how do you know that it is true?  Do you believe it yourself?’

‘I do believe it.’

‘And how did it happen?’

‘He could not bear the ruin that he had brought upon himself and you.’

‘Then;—­then—­’ She went no further in her speech; but Dalrymple assented by a slight motion of his head, and she had been informed sufficiently that her husband had perished by his own hand.  ’What am I to do?’ she said.  ’Oh, Conway, you must tell me.  Was there ever so miserable a woman!  Was it—­poison?’

He got up and walked quickly across the room and back again to the place where she was sitting.  ’Never mind about that now.  You shall know all that in time.  Do not ask me any questions about that.  If I were you I think I would go to bed.  You will be better there than up, and this shock will make you sleep.’

‘No,’ she said.  ’I will not go to bed.  How should I know that that man would not come and kill me?  I believe he murdered Dobbs;—­I do.  You are not going to leave me, Conway?’

’I think I had better, for a while.  There are things which should be done.  Shall I send one of the women for you?’

’There is not one of them that cares for me in the least.  Oh, Conway, do not go; not yet.  I will not be left alone in the house with him.  You will be very cruel if you go and leave me now—­when you have so often said that you—­that you—­that you were my friend.’  And now, at last, she began to weep.

‘I think it will be best,’ he said, ’that I should go to Mrs Van Siever.  If I can manage it, I will get Clara to come to you.’

‘I do not want her,’ said Mrs Broughton.  ’She is a heartless cold creature, and I do not want to have her near me.  My poor husband was ruined among them;—­yes, ruined among them.  It has all been done that she may marry that horrid man and live here in this house.  I have known ever so long that he has not been safe among them.’