"Perhaps I might not have spoken, only for the sake of saving you from a union with one so wicked and sin-stained. I recognized my sister that night when I fainted; but I did not intend to betray her, and would not have done so now only that she might not deceive an honest man into making her his wife." Azalia Brooke, drooping in her chair like a broken lily, realized then that she had made a fatal mistake in admitting her identity and trusting faithless Jewel with her story. Her half-sister's cruel aim flashed over her mind like lightning. She hoped that her hapless victim's lover and relatives would turn against her when they heard that disgraceful story, and that they would cast her forth in disgrace, so that she would be thrown friendless and helpless on the world. This, indeed, was Jewel's cruel intention, and she said to herself that if her plan succeeded poor Flower should never live to see Laurie Meredith again. Everyone looked at Flower, hoping that she would deny Jewel's dreadful charge. Alas! that beautiful bowed head told its own story of bitter shame and sorrow. There was nothing for her to say. The bitter secret, kept so long, was dragged to the light of day at last. "Azalia!" Lady Ivon exclaimed, imploringly. But the golden head only sunk lower in its terrible despair. Lord Clive looked from the dark, vindictive face of Jewel Fielding to that downcast, despairing one of her persecuted half-sister. All his manhood rose to the surface, the nobility inherited from a long line of stainless ancestry shone in his clear blue eyes. Looking into Jewel's face, with scorn in his eyes, he said, distinctly: "Your solicitude for me was a wasted effort, Miss Fielding, as Miss Brooke had already taken back her promise to me. I understand her reasons now, but it only increases my respect for her, as I am sure she was deceived, else such an angel had not fallen." At those kindly words Flower's pale face was raised, and she said, in a faltering voice: "Lord Clive, I thank you for those kind words in my defense. You only do me justice in your belief, for I was deceived by a mock marriage--deceived by one who might have remained true to me only that she--my sister there--lured him from me." An exultant laugh came from those beautiful red lips of Jewel. "I warned you that I would punish you for trying to take him from me," she said, in a hissing voice, like a serpent's. "He belonged to me first, and you came between us. He turned to you for a little while, but it was a mere fancy, as I told you, and I had my revenge when he deserted you to your fate." Every one remained silent, too shocked to speak, and the vindictive Jewel stood in the center of the room, mistress of the situation, evilly beautiful in her glowing crimson robe, and with that fire of hate on her dusky face.