I cannot think that you
were happy even after you had succeeded in your wretched plots."
"Happy!" repeated the woman, with great bitterness. "For two years I was
the most miserable creature on earth. I will tell it, and you shall
listen; you shall hear my side of the story," she went on, fiercely,
as she noticed that Mona was restless under the recital. "As I said
before, when they settled in Paris for the winter I began to develop my
plans. I went to a skillful costumer, and provided myself with a complete
disguise, then hired a room in the same house, although I took care to
keep out of the sight of Walter Dinsmore and his wife. One day he went
out of the city on a hunting excursion, and met with an accident--he fell
and sprained his ankle, and lay in the forest for hours in great pain. He
was finally found by some peasants who bore him to their cottage, and
kindly cared for him. His first thought was, of course, for his wife, and
he sent a messenger with a letter to her telling of his injury. I saw the
man when he rode to the door. I instinctively knew there was ill news. I
said I knew Mrs. Montague, and I would deliver the letter. I opened and
read it, and saw that my opportunity had come.
Pages:
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286