"He, at least, has paid the penalty," said Royce. "He can trouble you
no more, my love."
She was sobbing helplessly upon his shoulder, but as the moments
passed she grew more calm, and at last stood upright from him. The
younger woman had come back into the room, and was watching her
curiously, with no trace of emotion.
"Come, let us go," said the girl. "We must take the first boat home."
But Royce held back.
"There has been a crime committed," he said slowly. "We must see that
it is punished."
"A crime? Oh, yes; but I forgive them, dear."
"The crime against yourself you may forgive; but there was another
crime--murder----"
"There was no murder!" burst in Cecile Alix. "I swear it to you,
monsieur. Do you understand? There was no murder!"
I saw Miss Holladay wince at the other's voice, and Royce saw it, too.
"I must get her to the inn," he said. "This is more than she can
bear--I fear she will break down utterly. Do you stay and get the
story, Lester. Then we'll decide what it is best to do."
He led her away, out of the house and down the path, not once looking
back. I watched them till the trees hid them, and then turned to the
women.
"Now," I said, "I shall be happy to hear the story."
"It was that man yonder who was the cause of it all," began the
mother, clasping her hands tightly in her lap to keep them still.
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