"She is in high fever and derangement of mind. If you have driven Anthony away, driven him to his death in the battle-field, and Urith also dies, then there will be the lives of all three you will be answerable for. It may be that Anthony was too hasty in marrying Urith, but once married, you should have left him alone. I do not believe, Julian, that he ever loved you. No, you may look at me in anger and doubt, but I am sure of it; I am his sister, I have seen and heard him, and if you fancy that he ever loved you, you are utterly in error. He never did. He never loved any girl till he saw Urith. She was his first love, not you. No, you never stirred his heart. He liked you. It flattered his vanity to see that you admired, almost worshipped him, but love you he did not. No, Julian, never--never! Urith was his first love, and, please God! will remain his only love." Julian Crymes turned deadly white, and clenched her hands against her bosom. "I saw what you were doing at that dance at the Cakes. Then you strove to draw him from his wife--then you threw the seeds of mistrust into her heart! You played a cruel and wicked game. But do not think, even although you may for a while have lured Anthony away from his wife, that you will separate them for ever. No! She was his first love, and to her he will return with redoubled love when this misunderstanding, this estrangement, is at an end--that is to say, if they live." Bessie did not speak reproachfully, but sadly. "Julian, you have been thoughtless, not malicious. I can tell you what the end will be, if Anthony do come back and find Urith dead. He will not go to you, and throw himself at your feet. No; he will hate you with a hatred that will be lasting as his life. He will look on you as--if not his wife's murderer--at all events, as one who engalled the last hours of her life--who drew briars and thorns between them, tearing their hearts when they last met. What passed between them I cannot say; but something must have--something terrible--to account for her present condition, and for his absence. You are answerable for that. Your thoughtlessness, and Anthony's love of flattery, have contrived to ruin a home. Anthony and Urith might have been happy parents of a sweet, innocent little one, who would have bowed the heart of his grandfather, and wiped off it all the rust that has gathered there. That little life, with all it might have been to itself, or to others, is destroyed--by you! You and Anthony broke the heart of Urith, and brought about what has taken place. You cannot give back the little life--you cannot mend the wreckage of happiness you have brought about. Pray to God to have pity on you, and forgive you your sins!"