Page:The Father Confessor, Stories of Danger and Death.djvu/188

178 the time had arrived for the demonstration the three pale women went out upon the balcony, Lady Osborne going first, the two others following.

"What are you going to do? You are going to do something?" the girl whispered.

"I am going to tell the people the truth."

The girl spoke angrily,—

"All these years he has not known a mother's love. What if he asks you why you robbed him of that? Even if she was poor, she would have held him to her, shielded him, loved him."

"She deserted him," Lady Osborne sneered.

"All the more reason for us women to love him; he is noble and good. Did he not win your heart as a little, soft baby? Think of him as he was, and love him."

"I shall do my duty as I know it. I shall tell the people the truth."

The girl said no more, but stood aside. In her heart she thought, "If you cast him off, I will claim him here, in the face of them all."

The air was loud with the sound of glad voices, and soon the avenue was gay with