Pale as she would ever be in her coffin, but with fiery, burning eyes, she sat and listened to the old judge’s story, hating him madly in her heart because at the last he had repented of his wickedness, because his soul stood aghast at the horrors to which he had doomed hapless Violet. Very solemnly the old man continued: “I have come to my senses, Amber, and I realize the enormity of my sin against my grandchild, although perhaps too late, for my heart forebodes that gentle Violet is dead. Alas! if Heaven had only spared her, all would come right now. She would be free, and I would no longer oppose her love for Cecil Grant!” Amber’s voice rang sharply, despairingly, through the room: “You would let them marry--Cecil and Violet?” He answered, peevishly, reproachfully: “Yes, Amber; it is the only atonement I could make them for all my cruelty. And he is a noble man, this Cecil Grant. I have wronged him by my enmity when I ought to have held out a helping hand to the manly young fellow. But I have thought of a plan,” eagerly. “I shall send for him and tell him all, and he shall search for Violet. Love is so keen and strong, you know, and----” “My God!” shuddered Amber, the cry wrung from her by such agony as she fancied only the condemned in torment could know. Then she forced her writhing lips to utter calmer words: “Grandpapa, I am terribly unnerved by this story you have told me, but I am hopeful that Violet is not dead. And, yes, I think you are right to intrust the search for her to Cecil Grant. Love is keen and strong, as you say. You ought not to be kept in suspense over this matter; and if you will permit me, I will go myself for Cecil Grant.” “Yes, bring him to me at once!” he exclaimed, feverishly. CHAPTER XLIV. A TERRIBLE DEED! Amber flew to her room to get ready for her trip to Bonnycastle. Her brain was on fire, she was on the verge of insanity. She put her hand to her brow and stood wondering what she should do next. “My fate hangs trembling in the balance of the next hour,” she muttered, hoarsely. “Shall I remain quiescent, and let them all triumph over me? or shall I strike one fatal blow and achieve my own happiness? Bah! who could hesitate in such an hour? Self-preservation is the first law of nature.” Thought came in rushing waves, and all in an instant her plans were formed. She dressed herself very richly and carefully for a drive, and packed a small hand-satchel with all of her jewelry, and a change of clothing. Then she slipped into her glove a tiny package containing a white powder, muttering: “How fortunate for me that I contemplated suicide when I first lost the hope of Cecil Grant’s love, and bought this arsenic in Washington. It will serve a better purpose now.” She laughed a hollow, mirthless laugh, blood-curdling in its malice, and leaving the satchel just within the door, ran down stairs. She gave an order for her phaeton to be brought immediately, and returned to her grandfather’s room.