how soon my eyes were opened. But I must leave him if I am to remain
a sane woman."

For an hour she spoke and detailed all she had been called upon to
endure, while he listened with absorbed interest. She often touched
Brendon's shoulder, often clasped his hand. Once she kissed it in
gratitude, as he promised to dedicate every thought and energy to
her salvation. Her breath brushed his cheek, his arm was round her
as she sobbed.

"Save me and I will come to you," she promised. "I am hoodwinked
and deceived no longer. He even owns the trap and laughs horribly at
me by night. He only wants my money, but thankfully would I give him
every penny, if by so doing I could be free of him."

And Brendon listened with a rapture that was almost incredulous; for
she loved him at last and desired nothing better than to come to him
and forget the double tragedy that had ruined her young life.

She was in his arms now and he sought to soothe her, sustain her and
bring her mind to regard a future wherein peace, happiness and
content might still be her portion. Another hour passed, the
fireflies danced over their heads; sweet scents stole through the
garden; lights twinkled from the house; on the lake in the silence
that now fell between them they heard the gentle thud of a steamer's
propeller. Still Doria did not return and as a church clock struck
the hour Jenny rose. Already she had knelt at his feet and called
him her saviour. Now, still dreaming of the immense change in his
fortunes, already occupied with the means that must be taken to free
his future wife, Mark was brought back to the present.