"I have heard something of last night. I will not trouble you with any inquiries that I do not consider absolutely necessary. You and Mr. Davenport arrived together yesterday evening, and came on to your new house close by, your furniture having preceded you by only a few hours, so that the house was all in disorder?" "Yes." "And you came unaccompanied by any servant; may I ask you why was this?" "Mr. Davenport had peculiar notions about never moving servants from one house to another. He insisted on getting new servants when we changed." "So that it was at his desire you came unattended?" "Certainly. Only it was too late when we arrived, we should have got some one to help us." "And was Mr. Davenport in his usual health when you reached Crescent House?" "No. His asthma was worse, but not very much worse. When it was bad he could not lie down. My room was the only one in order, and he said he would rest on the couch for the night. I left him at about eleven, but did not go to bed, as I was not quite easy about him, and thought I'd come down and put some coal on the fire later. I fell asleep in a chair, and when I went down I found all was over." "He had a large quantity of chloroform by him?" "Yes; a two-ounce bottle, almost full." "And he was in the habit of using chloroform when the spasms were bad?" "Yes; but what do you mean? You are perplexing and terrifying me. Pray speak plainly to me." "I shall very soon be done. Remember, I told you I should ask no question that was not absolutely essential. Now, from the time you and Mr. Davenport entered that house, and until Mr. Paulton and the doctor entered it, had any other person access to it?" She grasped the edge of the table near her. She trembled as in an ague. Her lips grew as pallid as her brow. She did not speak. "Remember, anything you communicate is privileged, and will not find its way abroad through me. I am trying to get the means of protecting you. Of course you are fully at liberty to refuse to answer me now; but all questions will have to be answered at the inquest." "Inquest!" she whispered, in a voice of abject terror. She rose to her feet and stood swaying to and fro, one hand still grasping the table. "Inquest! Mr. Paulton said there would be no inquest. There _shall_ be no inquest." "The bottle was found _empty_." "Oh, Heaven, take away my life from me!" "Was Blake in the house that night?" She took her hand from the table and stood still a moment, looking upward. Then slowly she raised both her arms aloft, and cried: "Hear Thou my prayer!" She stood a while motionless. After a moment she said, in a firm voice: "No mercy!" She dropped her arms to her side, bowed slowly to him, and then with erect head and a firm step walked out of the room. CHAPTER VI. HER SUDDEN RESOLVE.