“He struck at me with one, and I had to defend myself,” said Jack. “Why didn’t you tell the whole story, if you had no intention of killing him?” “How could I? I should have had to drag Lady Sarah’s name into the business, and Sir Robert would not have married her. There was no harm in our little _tête-à-têtes_, but still it would not have done to own to them. Now would it?” “I suppose not,” said Rhoda slowly. “But it was shocking that you should have begun so soon to deceive Sir Robert. It was dreadful, terrible.” “Do you think it would serve any useful purpose to let him know all the truth now?” “It may be necessary,” said Rhoda boldly. “And you really mean to do it?” “I would only do it if Lady Sarah were to deceive her husband again.” Jack’s face grew dark with rage; she saw his features twitching. “What good would it do?” “An investigation would be made, and justice would be done.” He knew what she meant. She was trembling as she spoke, but she was determined that he should know that upon his good behaviour depended his own safety. If he would keep away from the house, and refrain from communicating with Lady Sarah, she would keep silence. If he failed to do so, then she would denounce him, and he would have to stand his trial. He understood the position perfectly; she saw this, and that there was no need to “rub it in.” For a few moments he stood quietly considering the matter, and then he seemed to pull himself together, and suddenly bent forward to speak in a low voice: “You think you are acting for the best, I’ve no doubt,” said he. “But you are forging a chain which will hold Sir Robert as well as his wife prisoner for the rest of his life.” “No, no,” said Rhoda. She had got away. But he followed her. “And look here,” said he, as he bent down with a sudden burst of passion. “You are acting, not from good motives, but from bad ones. You want to boss the show at the Mill-house. But you won’t. You have done the worst thing you could for everybody, and you mustn’t expect to escape punishment. If you betray me--us, you’ll repent it.” “Very well,” said Rhoda. “That’s my affair.” “You won’t be warned?” She would not answer him. Breaking away, she ran out into the high road, where he did not dare to follow her, and returned with rapid steps to the Mill-house. She got back in time to dress hurriedly for dinner, and scrambled down, very pale and nervous, just as the rest were seated. Lady Sarah looked curiously at her from time to time across the table, and Rhoda, anxious to escape an interview, ran upstairs as soon as dinner was over. Ten minutes later, the report of a firearm, and then the agonised shriek of a woman, rang through the house. Sir Robert rushed from his study into the hall, where he met a frightened housekeeper on the stairs. “What was that noise?” asked he quickly. “And where did it come from?” Mrs. Hawkes replied in a trembling voice, as she hurried upstairs,