"What is the matter ?" But Madelon caught his arm in a hard grip.

"Come, quick!" she gasped, and pulled him along the road after her.
"What is the matter ?" Burr demanded, half yielding and half resisting.
Madelon faced him suddenly as they sped along.

"I met your cousin Lot just below here and he kissed me, and I took him for you and stabbed him, if you must know," she sobbed out, dryly.
Burr gave a choking cry of horror.
"I think I--have killed him," said she, and pulled him on faster.
"And you meant to kill me ?" "Yes, I did." "I wish to God you had!" Burr cried out, with a sudden fierce anger at himself and her; and now he hurried on faster than she.
Lot was quite motionless when they reached him.

Burr threw himself down in the snow and leaned his ear to his cousin's heart.

Madelon stood over them, panting.