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 forgiveness? What is the affair you say I have hinted at? Speak,—you have agitated my very soul."

The housekeeper receded a few steps in evident terror.

"Why, nothing, I assure your La'ship, (exclaimed she in faltering accents) I only meant that—that—"

Here she paused in the utmost confusion.

"Speak! (cried Madeline, in a voice that betrayed the most dreadful agitation—an agitation caused by recollecting at that instant the conversation which had passed between her and the housekeeper relative to the murder of Lord Philippe on the night she had sought for shelter in the castle); speak, I adjure you, (she repeated, with a distracted air) and relieve me from the horrors you have inspired."

"I am very sorry, I am sure, (said Mrs. Beatrice) that I have so distressed your La'ship;