"If you touch me," he said threateningly, "I’ll do my best to end you. Go to Father Mantelle, if you doubt my word. But first, look here; look through the window you spied through once before." Like thieves the two men went to the side of the house. Just then, in the fireplace a large log fell, the sparks lighting up the room inside. In the glow Norval saw Donelle curled up on the bed, her hand on the head of faithful Nick. A deep moan escaped him, he turned to Gavot like a stricken man. "By all you hold holy," he whispered, "deal with her as you hope for God’s mercy. She was driven to you when she was beside herself. I cannot help her, but it lies in your power, Gavot, to keep her out of hell." "I know what to do with my own, you! See to it that you do the same." Tom glared at Norval. Then Norval turned and went back to the wood-cabin. His face had grown old and stern, his eyes hard. Katherine was awake; she was still crying. "Jim—what—what—is it to be?" "I’m going the rest of the way with you, Katherine. And as you value the future, let us bury everything here. To-morrow, we must take the boat back to New York." Early the next morning Norval, he and Katherine having passed as comfortable a night as possible in the cabin, went to Mam’selle Jo’s and hastily packed most of his clothing. He sent a boy to Longville’s for Katherine’s luggage, giving them no explanations, left a brief note for Jo, and—drifted from Point of Pines. Mam’selle returned from her business trip late in the afternoon. Marcel stopped her as she passed. "I think you’ll find company at your house," she said, quite excitedly for her. "A boarder came here day before yesterday; she walked down to Point of Pines the next morning. She knows your boarder. The storm must have kept her. I daresay Donelle made her comfortable." "Donelle?" Jo stared. "Wasn’t Donelle with you last night, Marcel?" "No." Jo waited to hear no more. She laid the whip on Molly’s surprised back and bent over the reins. *CHAPTER XIX* *THE CONFESSION* Jo was not one to take any step hurriedly. Though her heart broke, she was cautious. Upon entering her quiet house she found a note from Alton. It merely said that Donelle would explain. Going to the room above, Jo saw that a hurried but orderly departure had evidently been made. "He hasn’t messed much," she muttered vaguely, while a great fear rose in her heart, she knew not why. "Well, there’s nothing to do but wait for Donelle," she concluded, and began the waiting. She went to the stable and sheds. The animals had evidently been fed the night before, so Jo milked the cow, did the chores, and whistled aimlessly for Nick. She was comforted by his absence, he was with Donelle. But where was Donelle? The sun was setting, what should be done? Jo decided to wait until the sun had gone wholly down before she took any steps. She was not one to set tongues wagging.