This I said in the hope of startling her, but she did not move a muscle of her face. Either she was keeping herself well in hand or was cognizant of the fact that Felix had gone to Paris for the purpose of deceiving me. If so, she must have known he was not Francis, and also that my story of the Lone Inn tragedy was true. It was on my tongue to ask her if she was aware of the terrible truth, but on reflection I judged it best to let events evolve themselves. Fate could manage these things better than a mere mortal. "I knew you would see him there," she said coldly, "but I cannot conceive why you should desire to convince yourself that I spoke truly." "Because, Miss Bellin, I believe that the man who calls himself Francis is really Felix." "The same old story," she said impatiently. "You are mad. If you saw Felix in Paris, you must be convinced that you are making a mistake." "Well, Miss Bellin, we will waive that point for the present. I will call the man to whom you are engaged Francis." "As he is," she interpolated imperiously. I let the remark pass, and went on with my speech. "You will no doubt think me highly impertinent, but I wish to warn you against the so-called Francis Briarfield." "What do you mean, sir?" "Simply this. While at the Fen Inn I was waited on by a woman who called herself Rose Strent. That woman is now in town acting at the Frivolity Theater under the name of Rose Gernon." "And what have I to do with such a creature?" she asked in a trembling voice. "Nothing, but your lover has everything to do with her." "Mr. Denham!" We were both on our feet by this time, and she was looking at me with wrathful eyes. The crisis I so dreaded had come, but it was now too late to retreat, and there was no help for it but to go on. "Be angry with me if you like, Miss Bellin," I said, as soon as I was able, "but it is in your own interest I speak." "My own interest!" "Yes! This woman Rose Gernon is in love with Francis B----" "No! no!" she murmured, her face growing white; "you are making a mistake." "It is true," I said doggedly. "She was with him at his chambers yesterday evening at eight o'clock; she will be there to-morrow evening at the same time. I learned that fact to-day." "Did you come here to insult me, sir?" asked Olivia in a voice tremulous with rage. "I came here to do you a service, but if you look upon it in the light of an insult, I may as well take my leave." "Stop, sir!" she said, placing herself before me; "you shall not leave the room till I am convinced of the truth of your statement. Why should Francis meet Rose Gernon?" "Why should Rose Gernon play the part of a waiting maid at the Fen Inn?" I retorted. "How can I tell?" "To further the schemes of the man who is to marry you, Miss Bellin. She loves him and he loves her." "No! I tell you it is impossible. I trust him! I love him! He could not be such a mean villain." "I can prove to you that what I say is true."