I was his only confidante, and he liked to come in evenings and talk to me of Helen.

Sometimes, seeing me so lonely and low-spirited, he would stay with me within half an hour of Harry's return; but Heaven knows neither he nor I ever dreamed it could be wrong.

No harm might ever have come of it, for my husband knew and liked him, but for that gambling companion, whose name was Furniss." She paused again, trembling and agitated, for Miss Danton had uttered a sharp, involuntary exclamation.
"Go on! Go on!" she said breathlessly.
"This Furniss hated my cousin, for he was his successful rival with Helen Hamilton, and took his revenge in the cruelest and basest manner.
He discovered that my cousin was in the habit of visiting me occasionally in the evening, and he poisoned my husband's mind with the foulest insinuations.
"He told him that William Crosby, my cousin, was an old lover, and that--oh, I cannot tell you what he said! He drove my husband, who was violent and passionate, half mad, and sent him home one night early, when he knew Will was sure to be with me.

I remember that dreadful night so well--I have terrible reason to remember it.

Will sat with me, talking of Helen, telling me he could wait no longer; that she had consented, and they were going to elope the very next night.