"I can explain when I hear your story. At present I know nothing beyond the fact that Monsieur Guinaud has accused me of a vile crime. What does he say?" Roger, still kneeling by her side, told the story as related to him by Fanks, and at the conclusion eagerly waited for her denial. She said nothing, but sat in sombre silence, with her eyes fixed beyond his head in a vague, unseeing manner. "Judith!" he cried, desperately, "do you not hear what I say? This scoundrel says that you visited Melstane at night and put those two pills into the box with the intention of poisoning him." Still she said nothing, and Roger felt a feeling of horror arise in his breast as he watched her face, so cold, so frozen, so impassive in its fixed calm. "He has your handkerchief to prove that you were there. Judith, speak!" All at once the still figure became endowed with life, and with a choking cry she tore herself from his encircling arms, and sprang across the room. "Judith!" In a frenzy of dread he leaped up from his kneeling position, and went rapidly towards her with outstretched hands. "Stop!" she cried, wildly, shrinking against the wall, "stop!" "Speak, speak! You must speak and deny this story." "I cannot." "Judith." "I cannot!" "My God!" he said, in a hoarse whisper, "is it true?" "I cannot answer you." Roger felt the room spin round him, and, reeling back, caught at a chair for support, while he gazed with horror-filled eyes at the woman he loved, standing there so rigid and speechless. "Judith, you do not mean what you say," he cried entreatingly, "you cannot understand. Judas says you murdered Melstane. He can prove it, he says, by the handkerchief. He has told Fanks, who is a detective. You are in danger. I cannot save you. Great Heaven! if you have any pity for me--if you have any pity for yourself, speak and give the lie to this foul accusation." "I cannot, I tell you, Roger, I cannot!" "You are innocent!" "I cannot say." "Are you guilty?" "I cannot say." Axton passed his hand over his brow in a bewildered fashion, hardly knowing if he were asleep or awake, then, with a sudden resolution of despair, flung himself on his knees at her feet. "Judith! Judith! you must speak, you must. See me kneeling at your feet. I love you, I love you! I do not believe this vile story. In my eyes you are innocent. But the world--think of the world. It will deem you guilty if you cannot defend yourself. Judas has you in his power. He is a merciless wretch. He hates you. He will drag you down to infamy and disgrace, unless you can clear yourself of this crime. Speak for your own sake--for mine. Do not let this devil triumph over you, for Heaven's sake. Deny his foul lies, and let him be punished as he deserves. Speak, for the love of God, speak!" Judith said nothing, but the quick panting of her breath, the nervous tremor agitating her frame, and the rapid opening and shutting of her hands showed how she was moved.