They gathered around her in wonder and amazement. Professor Doepkin drew close to Italy’s side. He saw that she had turned deadly white, that she was trembling so that she could hardly falter: “What is it that you mean, my dear Isabel?” “Ah, Italy, you know. He has succeeded at last, that boy at Mr. Gardner’s who has been watching so long for the beautiful face of the girl who went away with my husband from the office the evening he was murdered. To-day the boy, Robert, saw her face again in the crowded court-room. He came here to tell me; he is waiting now to identify you--_you_--Italy Vale!--as the girl whom I believe to be concerned in the killing of my husband. Oh, God! how horrible it is to know you are the woman I have sought so long. How could you keep silence when I poured my misery into your ears? Are you indeed false and wicked? Speak! tell me how my poor husband died, and what part you had in the crime. Speak--ere I fall dead at your feet!” and she knelt before Italy with streaming eyes and upraised hands in piteous pleading. Mrs. Mays had looked and listened to her daughter in the wildest consternation. She believed that Isabel’s sorrows must have driven her mad. She hurried forward and tried to lead her from the room. “Come away to your own room, my dear, you must not speak to Miss Vale in this strange fashion!” she cried distressedly. But Isabel resisted her efforts and Italy begged her to desist. “Let her stay and hear the cruel truth, for now I cannot hide it any longer,” she said firmly. And to the surprise of every one, she took Isabel’s hands gently in hers and led her to a chair. “Sit here and listen to my story,” she continued, “for I _do_ know how your husband died, and it was to shield another woman that I have kept the secret so long. But, my dear friend, it is a very sad story for the ears of a loving wife. I would spare you if I could, but it is now impossible.” “Go on,” Isabel answered with burning impatience; and then Italy looked around, her glance lingering longest on Professor Doepkin, who stood nearest to her of all. “I wish you all to stay,” she said. “You have all heard Isabel’s accusation, you must hear my defense.” There were Professor Doepkin, Mrs. Vale, Mrs. Mays, Emmett Harlow, beside herself and Isabel. They all drew near, and then Italy began her story. She was pale as death, she trembled, and her dark eyes were heavy with unshed tears. It was a cruel ordeal for any young girl--to tell the story of a man’s wickedness to the wife who loved him and believed him true! She did not know how she would ever hold out to do it, but she did, and with a dramatic force and fire that held her hearers spell-bound. They hardly drew breath while she talked, and there were tears on every cheek, it was so thrilling, the story of that night when she had left The Lodge to place herself in Mr. Gardner’s protection, and fallen into a villain’s power.