“I had lost him forever! and throwing out my hands toward him, I sank with a low moan of agony at his feet before he could even put forth an arm to save me.” CHAPTER IV THE LEGACY OF JEWELS “In falling my head struck against the base of a pillar, cutting a severe gash in my forehead, which, with the blow, nearly cost me my life—there is the scar now, dear.” The old lady lifted the silvery hair from her forehead, revealing a white seam about an inch in length. Brownie reached over and pressed her red lips upon it. The act nearly unnerved Miss Mehetabel again. “I was taken to a room in the house,” she went on, “put to bed, and a physician sent for, but it was hours before I recovered consciousness, and the doctor said I had had a marvelous escape. “I lay for days listening, trying to catch the echo of Roy’s footsteps, and once or twice I fancied I heard it, and the deep, rich tones of his voice, asking some eager question. Then the sound would die away, and I thought my ears and my longing heart had deceived me, for he never came, and I was too proud and hurt to send for him. “At last one day my maid brought me in a little note. “I saw and recognized the handwriting as soon as she opened the door. “‘Give it to me, quick!’ I cried, my heart bounding at the sight of it. “With trembling fingers I tore it open and read these cold, formal words: “‘Will Miss Douglas kindly favor me with an interview, if she is strong enough to endure it? and oblige, “‘ROYAL DUNFORTH.’ “I nearly shrieked at the icy words—my nerves were still unstrung, and they hurt me as nothing else had ever done before. “Was he coming to blame me—to charge me with the disgrace I had brought upon him and myself, and then cast me off forever? Had I sinned past all forgiveness? I asked myself again and again. “I seized a pencil and wrote: “‘Yes, come at once, if you can forgive your repentant “‘META.’ “I folded and enclosed it in an envelope, without sealing it, and giving it to a maid, told her to carry it down to Lord Dunforth, who, she said, was awaiting an answer. “I did wrong to send him a written reply. I ought to have gone to him, even if I had been obliged to crawl upon my hands and knees to do so; but I was weak—I had not yet left my room, was able only to sit up for an hour or two at a time, and I thought, of course, he could come to me. I never dreamed of treachery.” “Treachery, auntie!” exclaimed Brownie, who was intensely interested in the sad tale. “Ah, treachery, child, as you will soon see, and I might have known it, too, had my wits been about me. “The maid came back almost immediately. “I looked up in surprise as she entered. “‘Why are you back so soon?’ I demanded.