“I am not afraid, for nothing can happen to me! I have put them all on the wrong scent, and they will always believe the diamond-robbers did it for revenge. But Laurie will come back when he reads all about it in the papers, and then I will get him back, I swear it! Mama will know how to help me, she is so clever!” The general and Mrs. Ritchie arrived promptly, and they were shocked to learn of the horrible tragedy. “Poor little Gipsy Darke, she had turned out to be a noble girl! Only think, she saved yours and Laurie’s life, as well as your diamonds! I quite intended to do something for her as soon as she got well. The general and I had been discussing what sort of form our gratitude should take,” remarked Mrs. Ritchie. “Oh, mama, she could scarcely have appreciated your gratitude. She was only a poor gipsy girl, you know, with no refinement of feeling. As for saving us, she didn’t run much risk, you know. Satan knew her well, and always obeyed her from fear of the lash. But, of course, it’s shocking she came to an end through those horrible burglars. It grieves me very much! But the most I can think of now is my own trouble with Laurie,” she tearfully added. “Oh, mama, did he tell you that we had broken our engagement?” CHAPTER XVIII. OFF WITH THE OLD LOVE. “What dreadful news are you telling me, my dear Lelia?” Mrs. Ritchie cried, in consternation. Lelia repeated dejectedly: “Laurie and I have broken our engagement for the third time, mama.” “Good heavens! my dear, this will never do at all, for our own fortune is dwindling away so fast it is imperative you should marry a rich man--and that soon! You must whistle Laurie back as soon as possible!” cried the lady anxiously. “That is what I mean to do, mama, if I can! But what if he will not make up again?” sobbed Lelia, breaking down under her secret knowledge of things that she dare not confess to her mother or any other living soul--the gift of the betrothal-ring to Gipsy, her encounter with the girl, the intercepted letters that carried the conviction to her heart that Laurie loved her no more--these gruesome secrets must remain forever locked in Lelia’s guilty breast--not even to the mother that bore her could she betray her terrible crime. Even that mother, weak and mercenary, but perhaps not actually wicked, might have turned from her in loathing, had she known to what terrible lengths her beautiful daughter had carried her insane jealousy. Not knowing all these terrible facts, Mrs. Ritchie was disposed to take a hopeful view of the case. “Of course, he will make it up with you, my dear, but you will have to make the first advances, this time, for you have treated him very badly by your own confession,” she said. “Oh, mama, you must help me; tell me what to do!” implored Lelia, her blue eyes full of burning tears.