Page:Maud Howe - Atlanta in the South.djvu/258

 Rondelet felt a foreknowledge of what was coming; he was as sure as that he lived that he was to hear more of the story of Therese than she had ever told him. The last link in the chain was to be supplied; he was to learn what bond there was between Robert and Therese that had made the man so merciful and forbearing, the woman so full of pitiless hatred.

"You remember the day when those bloodhounds were here, wearying me with their questions?" the patient continued.

"Yes."

"I told them that I did not know who struck me. It was a lie; you knew it was a lie when I spoke it. I saw that you knew as well as if you had seen her, who it was that struck the blow."

Philip bowed his head in assent.

"Yes, it was she, Therese," Robert went on eagerly; "and because she is a woman and heedless, and because the bloodhounds are keen of scent, they will track her, and it will be known that I fell by her hand. You must save her; and when she is safe, you must go to Margaret and tell her all. She knows half the story; it is not fair that she should not hear the rest. No, do not wait; tell her to-night. Therese is the cause of all this misery, and yet I must protect her; for—Philip, come closer—I swore to my father on his death-bed that I would shield her