He tucked the warm robes cozily about her, took up the reins, and they set off at a spanking pace, gliding gayly over the smooth crust of snow until they found themselves leaving the crowded city behind. They had talked but little, but now Noel slackened rein, and said suddenly: “So you really love Laurier after all?” “Of course--when I am to marry him in two weeks!” “Yet a week ago I could have sworn that you did not care for him.” “Appearances are deceitful.” “Yes, very,” he replied, with a low, bitter laugh, adding: “For I could almost have sworn that your heart had turned from him to me!” “What egregious vanity!” cried Cora, laughing outright. The laugh almost drove him mad. Striking the black, fiery horse lightly with the whip so that it dashed quickly forward again, he almost hissed: “What would you do to any one who should come between you and Laurier?” The girl’s eyes flashed, she ground her white teeth together viciously, crying: “I should hate them, I should want to murder them!” Noel’s face grew livid, but he looked around at her fixedly, crying: “Then you will want to murder me, for I am a barrier between you and Laurier that cannot be removed. I am your lawful husband, beautiful Cora!” “You are mad!” she cried, in alarm. “Let us turn back instantly. See, the snow is beginning to fall!” Without heeding her command, Ernest Noel drove on through the gathering storm, replying hoarsely: “I am not mad, Cora, I am telling you the truth. Do you remember the private theatricals we took part in last week for the benefit of that little church? You were the bride, I was the bridegroom, and it was a lawful marriage, for I made private arrangements to have it so, securing a license and a minister. You are my wife as fast as the law can make you. Now, what have you to say?” CHAPTER XXII. A DESPERATE DEED. Cora Ellyson sat speechless by the side of Ernest Noel for several minutes as the sleigh rushed on through the whirling snowflakes. Her face was as white as the snowflakes, her very lips pale, and her eyes flashed with a dangerous anger that startled her desperate lover. In their dark gleam he read, indeed, a murderous hate too deep for words--a hate that could kill, so great was its fury. Choking with grief and rage, she remained speechless, though her writhing lips struggled for words. A despair too deep for utterance possessed her soul. What, wedded to this villain! Tricked into a ceremony that bound her to him and cut her off from Frank, her beloved, forever! It was too horrible! She could not believe it! “Is it really true? You have not lied to me?” gaspingly. “It is true as Heaven, Cora. Say what you will, you are my wife, and as such I claim you! Come, give me a kiss, and let us make up our quarrel!”