"You may glare at me, my lord, but you shall not intimidate me. I have seen one murdered woman in the house; I do strongly suspect the presence of another, and I know not how soon my own life may fall a sacrifice to the evil passions of the fiend that rules your fate. I have been silent in regard to my deep wrongs for a long time, my lord. But now that my poor servant has fallen a victim to her fidelity, I can be silent no longer! I am here alone, helpless, and in your power! Yet I must make my protest, and trust in God's mercy to deliver me, and what is left of mine, from the hands of the spoiler!" said Claudia solemnly. Sometimes necessity compels people to think and act with great rapidity; to rally their faculties and charge a difficulty at a moment's notice. This was the case with the Viscount Vincent now. Very quickly he collected his mind, formed his resolution, and acted upon it. "Lady Vincent," he said, in a kinder tone than he had yet used, "your words shock and appall me beyond all measure. Your suspicions wrong me cruelly, foully; I know nothing whatever of the fate of your woman; on my soul and honor, I do not! But if you really suspect that anyone had an interest in the taking off of that poor old creature, tell me at once to whom your suspicions point, and I will do my very utmost to discover the truth. By all my hopes of final redemption and salvation, I will!" he added, looking earnestly in her face. Claudia gazed at him in utter amazement. Could this be true? she asked herself. Could a man look so full in her face, speak so earnestly, and swear by such sacred things, while telling a falsehood? To one of Claudia's proud nature it was easier to believe a man guilty of murder than of lying and perjury. She was thoroughly perplexed. Lord Vincent saw the effect his words had had upon her, and he was encouraged to follow up his success. "Whom do you suspect, Claudia?" he inquired. She answered honestly. "My lord, I will tell you truly. I suspect you." "Me!" he exclaimed, with a laugh of incredulity. Never were honest scorn and righteous indignation more forcibly expressed. "Me! Why, Claudia, in the name of all the insanities in Bedlam, why should you suspect me? What interest could I possibly have in getting rid of your amusing gorilla?" "My lord, I hope that I have wronged you; but I feared that Katie had become possessed of some secret of yours which you wished to prevent her from divulging." "And for that you thought I would have taken her life?" "For that reason I thought you would have made away with her--by kidnaping and sending her out of the country, or by immuring her in one of the dungeons of the castle, or even by--" "Speak out! 'Cutting her throat,' why don't you say?" "Oh, Lord Vincent, but this is horrible, horrible!" shuddered Claudia.