Celine departed, smiling an odd little smile. She went to her own room and sitting down upon the bedside, meditated. Presently she arose, and walking over to her mirror, gazed at her reflected image, and shaking her head at it, murmured: "What a nice little maid you are, Celine Leroque--and how these people will love you by and by! You now hold in your hands the thread that will unravel this mixture of mystery, and when the reckoning comes, it will not be you that falls." Thoughtfully she paced the little apartment. By and by she threw herself upon the bed and closed her eyes, still thinking. If she could only know just how these two had separated--Edward Percy and Cora Arthur; and what part Lucian Davlin had played in that separation drama. Did Cora know Lucian ten years ago--did Percy know him for his rival? Suddenly the girl sprang up, and smiting her two palms together, exclaimed: "If these two men were rivals, then we may yet find a reason why Lucian Davlin should attempt the life of Edward Percy!" And now what should she do? Claire Keith's bright face rose before her as she asked herself the question. Claire must be warned and saved; but how? The girl's brow darkened. "She will scorn the man," she muttered, between pale lips, "and then she will learn to value that other. She will grieve for a time, perhaps, but not for long; then--then she will become _his_ wife, while I--What right has she to all the blessings?" The girl stood motionless, with hands tightly clasped. The conflict lasted but a moment when, in a firm, clear voice she continued: "It would be base not to save her from this wretch--and save her I will; and I will restore to Olive Girard her husband; is that not payment enough for all they have done for me? But he, Clarence, my hero--why must I yield him up without a struggle? She does not love him; she never will love him if I say the word; she is as generous as--as I am base, I think. No, it is not base to love him, to try to win him. And why not? I must think, think, think." All that day and night the girl pondered deeply. In the morning she arose weary, unrefreshed. "I will save Claire Keith from the suffering that befell me," she said. "But she shall not have all the good things of this life, and I none." CHAPTER XV. CORA AND THE FRENCH MAID MEASURE SWORDS. During the day, Miss Arthur communicated to her maid the fact that Mr. Percy would remain in Bellair for the present. He was going away for a day on business; then he would return and take up his abode at the Bellair inn. "Would monsieur be absent to-morrow?" "Yes."