We throw out the hint, then, that Clara, during the course of the dispute--we must call it a dispute--accidentally took up this dagger and toyed with it.

You know her habit of toying, when she had no knitting or needlework.

In the course of playing with it (we suggest) she tried to pull the knife out of its sheath; failed; held it up, so, point upward; pulled again; pulled harder--with a jerk, at last the sheath came off; the dagger sprang up; it wounded Clara fatally.

Hugo, knowing that they had disagreed, knowing that the servants had heard, and seeing her fall suddenly dead before him, was seized with horror--the Le Geyt impulsiveness!--lost his head; rushed out; fancied the accident would be mistaken for murder.

But why?
A Q.C., don't you know! Recently married! Most attached to his wife.