"There is a power granted to those who love deeply as I do, of seeing into the hearts of those they love, and reading their secrets. I have read yours, William. Nay, be not alarmed. I have kept it to myself hitherto, and will keep it to the end. You wish me dead, I say; and you shall have your wish--but not in the way you propose. Having lost your love, I am become indifferent to life--or, rather, life is grown intolerable to me. But though death may be a release, it must not come from your hand." "You cannot mean to destroy yourself, Elizabeth?" cried Lord Roos, appalled. "I mean to trouble you no longer. I mean to make the last and greatest sacrifice I can for you; and to save you from a crime--or, if you must share the crime, at least to screen you from punishment. Look, here!" she added, producing a small phial. "Bid me drink of this, and ere to-morrow you are free, and I am at rest. Shall I do it?" "No--no," rejoined Lord Roos, snatching the phial from her. "Live, Bess, live!" "Am I to live for you, William?" she cried, with inexpressible joy. He made no answer, but averted his head. "In mercy give me back the phial," she exclaimed, again plunged into the depths of despair. "I must refuse your request," he replied. "Have you done, Elizabeth?" demanded Lady Lake, coming forth from the passage. "A moment more, mother," cried Lady Roos. "One word--one look!" she added to her husband. But he neither spoke to her, nor regarded her. "I am ready to accompany you now, mother," said the poor lady faintly. "Nerve yourself, weak-hearted girl," said Lady Lake, in a low tone. "Revenge is ours." "If I could only strike her without injuring him, I should not heed," thought Lady Roos. "But where he suffers, I must also suffer, and yet more acutely." And scarcely able to support herself, she followed her mother to the door of the ante-chamber, which was unlocked, and thrown open for them by her husband. He did not bid her farewell! As Lady Lake passed forth, she paused for a moment, and said-- "To-morrow, my Lord, we will ascertain whether the tress of hair we have obtained from the fair visitant to your chamber, matches with that of Gillian Greenford or with the raven locks of the Countess of Exeter." And satisfied with the effect produced by this menace, she departed with her daughter, before Lord Roos could utter a reply. CHAPTER XXIV. The Fountain Court.