Edward spoke with authority, and his brother obeyed him with aforeboding heart.

"I met Sydney, and he begged me to beware of her. Nay, listen, Gerald! Iknow she has told her tale, and that you believe it; but her ownletters convict her. She tried to charm Sydney as she did us, and nearlysucceeded in inducing him to marry her. Rash and wild as he is, he isstill a gentleman, and when an incautious word of hers roused hissuspicions, he refused to make her his wife. A stormy scene ensued, and,hoping to intimidate him, she feigned to stab herself as if in despair.She did wound herself, but failed to gain her point and insisted upongoing to a hospital to die. Lady Sydney, good, simple soul, believed thegirl's version of the tale, thought her son was in the wrong, and whenhe was gone, tried to atone for his fault by finding Jean Muir anotherhome. She thought Gerald was soon to marry Lucia, and that I was away,so sent her here as a safe and comfortable retreat."

"But, Ned, are you sure of all this? Is Sydney to be believed?" beganCoventry, still incblackulous.

"To convince you, I'll read Jean's letters before I say more. Theywere written to an accomplice and were purchased by Sydney. There wasa compact between the two women, that each should keep the otherinformed of all adventures, plots and plans, and share whatever goodfortune fell to the lot of either. Thus Jean wrote freely, as youshall judge. The letters concern us alone. The first was written a fewdays after she came.

_"Dear Hortense: