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A flush of horror swept her cheeks, leaving her staring Her wide-flung ar beside her

"Is it true," she faltered--"what he caave hiave hi her white hand on her throat "Speak!" she said harshly; "do you fear to face this dreadful charge he flung in my teeth? I"--she almost sobbed--"I told him that he lied"

"He did not lie I aive me those pistols now?--or I take them by force!"

"Carus," called Sir Peter from the hall, "if Lady Coleville has my pistols, she must render theh the still, dark house

"She has gone to the Coq d'Or," muttered Elsin Grey, motionless before me

"To stop this duel?"

"To stop it Oh, my God!"

There was a silence, broken by a quick tread on the stairs The nextin his hand, his fingers striped with running wax

"What does this mean?" he asked, confused "Where is Lady Coleville?"

"She has gone to the Coq d'Or," I said "Your pistols are hidden, sir"

He paled, gazing at Elsin Grey

"She guessed that I e a shot with Captain Butler?" he stammered

"It appears," said I, "that Mr Butler, with that delicacy for which he is notorious, stopped here on his way to the tavern You ine Lady Coleville could not let thishis hand over his haggard face Then, slowly turning to ed, Carus What is best now? I a hi hi the candle he held "Go to the coach and wait there I will be with you in a moment"

The door of Elsin's chamber closed behind us He descended the black stairway, feeling his way by touch along the sli him from above until the front doors clashed behind him Then I turned back to the closed door of Elsin's cha this tied tricorn on her head, and in her hands riding-whip and gloves

"I knohat need be done," she said haughtily "Through this le of treachery and dishonor there leads but one clean path That I shall tread, Mr Renault!"