A Queer Race: The Story of a Strange People — page 159: what you’re looking at

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156 A QUEER RACE. are right, that I was going to say something else, how are you to know that I am telling you my real thoughts, after all? I may tell you something else.” ‘‘But you will tell me your real thoughts, Mr. Erle, - You have a right to be offended. I was too absolute; [ insisted when I ought to have besought. ‘Tell me frankly what was in your mind. You may be sure I shall not abuse your confidence, and I—lI will give you mine.” . She spoke softly, almost caressingly; and when Mab lowered her voice it was singularly sweet and musical. I had already half resolved to ‘‘speak out;” and even if I had not, it would hardly have been possible to refuse a request so graciously made. “Well, my thought was this—it came unbidden—take it for what it is worth; I dare say you will deem it very absurd. It referred to your cousin—Amyas. You said just now that he isambitious and insincere. That means he is not too scrupluous. Now, ambitious and un- scrupulous men do strange things sometimes. Is it pos- sible that he had anything to do with cutting the Diana loose—that his was the figure revealed to me by the flash of lightning?” ' Mab started and turned pale, and her eyes were trou- bled. ‘“T should be sorry to think so,” she said, hesitatingly; “vet still There are many things in his conduct lately——- And, to tell the truth—I said I would be frank with you—the same suspicion has occurred to me, yet vaguely, and I thrust itfrom me. I would not listen tothe promptings of my own mind; would not have it that a Fane could be a traitor; and I have been so kind to him. One favor only I refused him. Yet noth- ing is impossible, and as the suspicion occurred also to you, there must be something in it. Yes, Amyas is the. man, or, if he be not, he knows who is.” | ‘Don’t let us go too fast, Queen Mab. Suspicion is not proof, remember; and we are a long way yet from connecting your cousin with the crime. But there is something else. A few weeks ago I received an anony- mous letter. Deeming it asorry jest, or an empty threat, I said nothing about it; but now it is only right that you should know.” Eomicbooks.co