"Because I desired to see this girl," replied Catinka, coolly. "You see, Mr. Mexton, I did not wish to lose Mr. Herne, because I wanted his money for my society; so I thought I would see what this girl was like--if she was as lovely as he declared her to be. And again, I wished to see Mr. Lovel, and get him to marry the girl, so that I could have this dear Herne to myself." "But you were not in love with Herne!" "No; but to secure him and his money to my cause, I would have married him. I quite intended to do so, and went to Barnstead that I might behold my rival; to see, you understand, if I had much to fear from her." "Did you go down by the same train?" "Oh, yes; at four o'clock. I was in a third-class carriage, Mr. Herne in a first. He did not see me. We got to Marborough a little after five. Then I lost him; but as I knew he was going to Barnstead that was no matter. I hired a carriage and drove over to Barnstead, where I had dinner in that hotel called after Mr. Herne." "The Herne Arms." "Yes. They gave me a bad dinner," said Catinka, making a face. "After that I went to church, where I thought I might see the girl. I did see her." "How did you know her?" "She was pointed out to me when I asked a lady who sat near me. I saw Mr. Lovel look at her also. She was beautiful, but foolish, I saw her leave the church, but I waited till the end of the service, and then I went out after Mr. Lovel, as I desired to speak with him." "Did you?" "No. I could not find him when I went out, and as I did not know your village I was not aware where to go. I wandered about, and quite lost myself for a long time. When I was on a wide plain I heard a shot, and I ran forward into a wood to see what was the matter. It took me some time to find the place where the shot had been fired; but when I did find it, no living person was there." "But a dead body was?" "Yes," assented Catinka--"the body of Miss Lester, whom I had seen in church. I was alarmed, and thought that I might get into trouble if I were found with the dead body. I do not know your laws, so I ran away. But before I went," said the Pole, with emphasis, "I placed on the body--it was lying face downward--the symbol of my society, a rainbow feather." CHAPTER XVIII. IRIS CONFESSES. Paul received this confession in silence, then said: "May I ask why you placed a rainbow feather on the body?"