Dalibard pointed silently to that evidence in favour of his tale.

Lucretia bowed her head but with a look that implied defiance; and (still without a word) she ascended the stairs, and entered the room appointed for concealment.
But as she entered, at the farther corner of the chamber she saw Mrs.
Fielden seated,--seated, remote and out of hearing.

The good-natured woman had yielded to Mainwaring's prayer, and Susan's silent look that enforced it, to let their interview be unwitnessed.

She did not perceive Lucretia till the last walked glidingly, but firmly, up to her, placed a burning hand on her lips, and whispered: "Hush, betray me not; my happiness for life--Susan's--his--are at stake; I must hear what passes: it is my fate that is deciding.

Hush! I command; for I have the right." Mrs.Fielden was awed and startled; and before she could recover even breath, Lucretia had quitted her side and taken her post at the fatal door.