“You will reveal yourself to your son, will you?” sneered the other. “What a revelation that will be! Do you think he will believe that you are his mother? You look like the mother of the boy who is to inherit a million! He would be proud of you, no doubt!” She flushed deeply at his cruel insinuations, but replied, sadly: “If there is one particle of filial affection in his heart he will show it, and believe me when I show him this.” She held up the brooch before him. He had forgotten she had it, but he now knew that she could prove her story with it, and he resolved to gain possession of it by fair means or foul. “You said you were destitute,” he said, trying to assume a more friendly air; “what will you sell me that bauble for? I will give you a good price for it.” “I thank you, sir,” she replied, with biting scorn. “But I do not choose to part with such valuable evidence in my behalf. No, sir! this will prove my story, and I will use it. Such wickedness as you meditate shall not go on.” “You talk well of wickedness; pray, how long since you became such a saint? But enough of this,” he added, sternly. “How do you suppose Ralph would receive your story? Do you think he would love a woman who had brought him into the world to suffer shame and disgrace? Do you think he would feel tenderly toward a mother who confesses she deserted him in infancy, and led a dissolute, abandoned life ever since? And, moreover, would he thank you for revealing to him the fact that he had no name? Madam, take warning; you don’t know your son as well as I do.” “Oh!” wept the desolate creature, realizing the truth of all he said. “But you lied to him about his parentage, and—” “What of that? Ought not his name to be Ralph Ellerton?” “Yes, oh, yes; but——” “Well, then let him claim it, and get the fortune if he can. The papers I have will prove all I want, in spite of all Ellerton can do. I’ll make a bargain with you. If you’ll help the matter along, when it is all settled, I will acknowledge you as a relative, perhaps a cousin or something of the kind.” “Never! You do but insult me the more by such an offer! I tell you it shall never be. If I cannot see Ralph, I can at least go to Mr. Ellerton and warn him, so that his son may be saved from such suffering and disgrace. I have sinned in the past, but I trust I have repented, and am willing to do what is right now, even to the sacrificing of my own son! Let me pass.” She tried to leave the arbor, but he barred the way, standing firm within the entrance. “No,” he said, “you do not go until you give me those pictures, and a promise not to meddle with my affairs.” Her heart quailed, for there was a wicked look in his eye that was fearful. But she put on the semblance of boldness. “Let me pass.” She drew herself to her full height, raised her head haughtily, sweeping back with one hand the heavy masses of her hair, while she flashed her brilliant eyes witheringly upon him.