“No, not very long, my own Adrian, for there are many easy ways to hurry an old man into his grave. But it is too soon to talk of that, now. Wait till I’m safely his wife and get his will made in my favor, then you and I can plot the finish, see?” “Yes, I see, and I am with you to the end--and afterward. Ah, Rosalind, what a woman you are! If you did not love me I should be afraid of you!” Adrian Vance muttered huskily. Rosalind gave one of her harsh, grating laughs, and said: “Love can turn to hate.” “You mean that I should beware of you. But I cannot, my queen, for I worship you. And--and--I shall be so jealous of that old man when he owns you that I shall be tempted to thrust a knife into his heart!” “Pray don’t, Adrian! Poison in his winecup would be safer, you know. But I must leave you, for I have much to do. I am to be married to-morrow.” “Heavens--to-morrow!” gasped her lover wildly, jealously. She answered lightly: “To-morrow, for the senator proposed it and insists upon it.” “Ah! how shall I bear my jealous agony? One kiss, Rosalind!” Berenice turned hot and cold, hearing repeated kisses and ardent caresses that made the leaves rustle as they leaned against them, then they sprang apart. “We must go back, Adrian; I really cannot stay another minute. Do not grieve so. You will not be banished, you know. I shall soon introduce you as a friend of the family. Ha! ha!” They passed out of sight, still talking, leaving Berenice crouched beneath the tree, with hot cheeks and a wildly beating heart. Suddenly she got upon her knees on the dewy grass and lifted her wide, horrified dark eyes to the heavens, where myriad stars began to sparkle through the blue. With clasped hands she prayed piteously: “Oh, what shall I do? Can I let this fiend impose on this good, honorable old man and shame the name he will give her by a liaison with this unworthy lover, who will help her to murder him at last for his money? Oh, it is too horrible that I should keep her terrible secrets and let the sacrifice go on! I must save him, I must expose her in all her hideous depravity to those who love and trust her now. Oh, show me the way, show me the way to-morrow, to unmask this fiend!” CHAPTER XL. THE WEDDING DAY. Berenice was walking past the open door of the sitting room, when Marie called to her kindly: “Come in, you dear, pale little ghost, and help us to plan for the wedding this evening.” Berenice’s heart gave a wild, startled leap as she obeyed. They were all there together, the sisters with their husbands, the senator and Rosalind, all planning for the wedding that Berenice knew must never be. The senator placed a chair for her and started when he saw her pallid face with the dark circles around the heavy eyes. Even her little hands were trembling with terrible agitation. “Really, Berenice, you look ill this morning. Did you have a bad night, dear?” Lucile asked, with affectionate interest.