“Listen,” she said, and he wondered that one so young could cling so tenaciously to a purpose. “The world was not satisfied with the verdict,” she said. “Oh, I know it all, how she was hissed by the populace when she left the court-room, how popular clamor branded her, how friends fell away from her, and left her alone in the world with her little child. “Ah,” she cried, with clasped hands and streaming tears, “it is the most pathetic story ever known, the sufferings of my martyred mother! But she shall be cleared, the truth shall be known, the world shall do her justice!” Her face was holy in its pure purpose, but the listener shuddered. “Will nothing dissuade you from this Quixotic purpose?” he cried imploringly. “No,” she answered, with upraised hand and gleaming eyes, “I have sworn to unmask the fiend who murdered my father, and whose malignity has hounded my mother through the world all these wretched years. They are one and the same person, I am sure, and no entreaties can turn me from my purpose. Although I am groping blindly in the dark now, I feel a presentiment that Heaven will send light at last to guide me.” “You are mad, you are blind!” cried Lawyer Gardner impressively; and he added: “If your mother were alive she would be the first person to forbid your raking open the ashes of the past, for the smoldering coals when blown into flame would only throw light upon that which has been hidden in darkness--the motive for her sin!” “How dare you? How dare you?” she cried, in a white heat of passionate resentment. “I beg your pardon for wounding you, Miss Vale, but I am only trying to prove my friendship to you in all that I say. Leave the past alone, I implore you.” “I will not,” she flashed angrily. And with deepest pain and pity he replied: “Then I must do you the cruel kindness of telling you the truth. That verdict of the jury is the greatest blessing her child could have. Beneath its merciful veil she finds her surest refuge; for, alas! Italy Vale, your mother was a--_guilty woman_!” “It is false!” quavered over her ashy lips. “It is true; and should that old case be reopened the truth might accidentally come to light, and blast you with its horror.” His voice was full of unspeakable pain and pity. “I do not credit your assertion yet--I demand to know all the truth,” came in a low, imperious voice from her white lips. “It is not fit for the pure ears of a young girl,” Mr. Gardner answered sadly; and, looking up at her angry face, he quoted: “‘Where ignorance is bliss ’tis folly to be wise.’” “I covet no such poor bliss as ignorance,” she cried, with a curling lip. “Speak! I demand it in the name of my injured mother! Let me know the worst that the infamous slanderer has done, then I shall know better how to strike a blow in her defense. Tell me all. I am waiting.”