“I know,” whimpered Juliette; “but we quarreled dreadfully. They--they actually believed that man Finley’s falsehood about me, although I denied it bitterly. The truth is that they are the ones in fault, for they sent Norman off to London on a false scent, just to break up his love affair; but now they have the meanness to say that they would never have sent him if they had known he was actually married to the girl,” panted Juliette angrily, adding: “So we had a bitter quarrel when they refused to believe my story. And Mrs. Wylde said she hoped you would take me from under her care soon, as she was tired of chaperoning a girl who had brought such trouble on her poor son. I told her I would never speak to her again, so then she and Rosalind packed up and went back, as Judge Wylde had telegraphed for them. She sent me a note, asking if I cared to go back with them, and I declined. But they set every one against me. I am so stared at and snubbed by people since Finley’s lies against me were published that I cannot bear to go outside my room,” concluded Juliette, going into hysterical sobs. “This is very bad. I do not know what I shall ever do with you, Juliette,” sighed the colonel, in dismay. “I shall go back to you, of course,” she sobbed. “No; that plan will not answer any longer. I can never have you again as a member of my family,” he replied firmly. She could scarcely resist the impulse to cry out against him with the sharpest reproaches, but wisely restrained herself, and presently he said: “I will remain with you here for a week, Juliette, and in that time I will decide regarding your future.” That same day he wrote to Pansy and explained the situation to her, asking for her advice in the matter. When Pansy heard of the sad plight of the girl whose wickedness had wrought her so much woe she rejoiced at first, thinking that Juliette had met her just reward for her sin. Then kinder, more pitiful thoughts intervened, and at length she wrote to Colonel Falconer: Send Juliette here to me, and I will stand her friend if she will treat me with proper respect. He read those words to Juliette, who curled her lip, but did not refuse, for the contempt of all her old associates in her little social world had so cowed her that she was only too happy to accept Pansy’s offer. When they met again, Pansy said determinedly: “Miss Ives, there shall be no further concealments between us. I am Pansy Laurens, as you thought, but I am going to procure an immediate divorce from Norman Wylde, that I may be remarried to your uncle, Colonel Falconer. Wait!” as Juliette was about to make an excited remonstrance. “It will be against your own interest to betray me, for your uncle’s will is made in my favor now, and if you go against me I will use my strong influence to have you sent adrift penniless.” CHAPTER XLI. A FALSE WITNESS.