"The old lawyer died in 1879 or 1880," she went on, "but by that time Mr. Decherd knew all that he cared to learn. As I said, he was less confidential with me after that. That was the time when he was infatuated with Delphine. Everything was to his liking. He was fond of intrigue, and the more intricate it was, the better for him. He was not afraid--when he had only women to be afraid of. With Delphine and me he did as he pleased, passing from one to the other. Delphine knew a part of the story, I do not know just how much. I never dared talk too much with Delphine, for fear I might learn too much, or she might learn too much. I was afraid of her, and I was more afraid of him. When Miss Lady grew up, then I got jealous of her--oh! I could not help it. I'm a woman, you know, and a woman likes to be loved by some one. I got to comparing Decherd with Colonel Blount; and then I--well, never mind. I need only say I was frightened, and I needed a friend, and I knew the Big House was the best home we were apt to have, and the safest place. It was a terrible situation down there, and only three of us knew. Of the three, Decherd was the only one who knew all the facts." "I'll say for him," said Eddring, "that his boldness was startling enough. He was a dangerous man." "Yes, he was dangerous. But when he got started in this he could not turn back." "Exactly what Colonel Blount said to me one time," said Eddring. "He was on a trembling bog, and he had to keep on running." "Did Colonel Blount say that? Does he know everything?" "As much as I know, or presently he will do so; I shall tell him all of this in due time." "Where is the girl? Where is Lady now?" "At the Big House, and safe." "And where is Henry Decherd?" "That I do not know. We'll hear from him some day, no doubt." The woman looked about her, as though still in fear. "Tell me, Mr. Eddring," said she, "did you--did you ever--I mean, do you love that girl yourself?" "Very much, Madam," said John Eddring, quietly, "Are you going to marry her?" "No." "Then why did she give you her case?" "I was chosen by her friend, Colonel Blount, as the lawyer best acquainted with these facts." "Ah! sir," said Mrs. Ellison, turning again upon him the full glance of her dark eyes. "Why? Can you not see--do you not know? Why trouble with a half-baked chit like her? Drop it all, sir. You are lawyer enough to know that my case is as good as hers, if handled well. If I knew one man upon whom I could depend--ah! you do not know, you will not see!" One hand, white, thick-palmed, shapely, approached his upon the table. He could feel its warmth before it touched his own. Then swiftly he caught the hand in a hard and stern grasp, looking straight into the eyes of its owner. "Madam," said he, "none of this! I have asked you to tell me the truth. I have told you the truth. The truth leaves us very far apart. You are safe; but you must understand." Her eyes sank, and on her cheek the dull flush reappeared.