I defy you to injure my dead husband or me by your wild lies, your foul charges! Go to an English lawyer, and see what an English law court will do for you--and your claim.

I will hear no more of either.' She rang the bell once, twice, thrice, with passionate hand, and a servant flew to answer that impatient summons.
'Show this gentlemen to his carriage,' she said, imperiously.
The gentleman who called himself Louis Asoph bowed, and retired without another word.
As the door closed upon him, Lady Maulevrier stood, with clenched hands and frowning brow, staring into vacancy.

Her right arm was outstretched, as if she would have waved the intruder away.

Suddenly, a strange numbness crept over that uplifted arm, and it fell to her side.

From her shoulder down to her foot, that proud form grew cold and feelingless and dead, and she, who had so long carried herself as a queen among women, sank in a senseless heap upon the floor..