earlier � i thought here she opened her eyes and met those of sir francis who was eagerly bending over her she uttered an exclamation of alarm and strove to rise he held her still more closely � dear dearest let me comfort you � let me tell you how much i love you and before she could divine his intent he pressed his lips passionately on her pale cheek with a cry she tore herself violently from his arms and sprang to her feet trembling in every at � what is this she exclaimed wrath fully are you mad the land of mockery and still weak and confused from her recent attack of she pushed back her hair from her brows and regarded him with a sort of puzzled horror he flushed deeply and set his lips hard i dare say i am he answered with a bitter laugh in fact i know i am you see ive betrayed my miserable secret will you forgive me lady � he drew nearer to her and his eyes darkened with restrained passion beauty � woman as you are � will you not pardon my crime if crime it be � the crime of loving you for i do love you � heaven only knows how utterly and desperately she stood mute white almost rigid with that strange look of horror frozen as it were upon her features by her silence he approached and caught her hand � she it from his grasp and him from her with a gesture of such royal contempt that he before her all suddenly the of her speech were loosened � the rising tide of burning indignation that in its very force had held her dumb and motionless now broke forth o god she cried a magnificent glory of disdain flashing in her jewel like eyes what is this that calls itself a man � this thief of honour � this pretended friend what have i done sir that you should put such deep disgrace as your upon me � what have i seemed that you thus dare to outrage me by the of your touch i � the wife of the noblest gentleman in the land ah and she drew a long breath � and it is you who speak against my � she smiled scornfully � then with more calmness continued � you will leave my house sir at once � and never presume to enter it again and she stepped towards the bell he looked at her with an evil stop a moment he said coolly just one moment before you ring pray consider the servant cannot possibly enter as the door is locked you dared to lock the door she exclaimed a sudden fear her heart as she remembered similar on the part of the reverend mr � then another thought crossed her mind and she began to retreat towards a large painted of among and in the sea sir francis sprang to her side and caught her arm in an iron grip � his face was with baffled spite and yes i dared r he muttered with triumphant malice and i dared do more than that i you lay unconscious in my arms � you beautiful and i kissed you � ay fifty times you can never undo those kisses you can never forget that my lips as well as your husband s have rested on yours � i have had that much joy that shall never be taken away from me and if i choose even now � and he her more closely � yes even now i will kiss you in spite of you � who is to prevent me i will force you to love me driven to bay she struck him with all her force in the face across the eyes traitor � liar i � coward she gasped � let me go � with the pain of the blow he unconsciously loosened his grasp � she rushed to the and to his utter discomfiture and amazement he saw it open and close behind her she disappeared suddenly and noiselessly as if by magic with a fierce exclamation he threw his whole weight against that secret sliding door � it resisted all his efforts he searched for the spring by which it must have opened � the whole was perfectly smooth and apparently solid and the painted on her s back seemed as though she smiled at his rage and disappointment while he was examining it he heard the sudden sharp and continuous ringing of an electric bell somewhere in the house and with a guilty flush on his face he sprang to the drawing room door and unlocked it he was just in time for scarcely had he turned the key when made his appearance that venerable looked round the room in evident surprise did her ring he inquired his eyes everywhere in search of his mistress sir francis collected his wits and forced himself to seem composed no he said coolly rang he adopted this falsehood as a means of exit call a will you and he sauntered easily into the hall and got on his hat and great coat was rather bewildered � but obedient to the the land of mockery command blew the cab whistle which was promptly answered sir francis tossed him half a crown and entered the vehicle which away with him in the direction of road stopping at a particular house in a side street leading from thence he bade the wait � and ascending the steps busied himself for some moments in something rapidly in pencil on a leaf of his note book by the light of the in the doorway he then gave a loud knock and inquired of the servant who answered it is mr in yes sir � the reply came rather hesitatingly � but he s having a party to night and in fact the 