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A fierce gleam was in Sanghurst's eyes, though he retained the suave softness of speech that he had assumed all along. "He is dead, fair mistress." "Living or dead, I am yet his," answered Joan unfalteringly; "and were I as free as air had I never pledged my faith to him I should yet have none other answer for you. Think you that your evil deeds have not been whispered in mine ear?
This indeed showed that Roger was truly looking upon some distant scene, and a strange thrill ran through Gaston as he realized this mysterious fact. "And the other, Peter Sanghurst's companion what of him? what likeness does he bear?" asked Gaston quickly.
A mist seemed to float before the girl's eyes. At that moment she was unable to think or to reason. The one thought there was room for in her mind was that Raymond was dead. If he were lost to her for ever, it was little matter what became of herself. Sanghurst's keen eyes, fixed upon her with an evil gleam, saw that the charm was working. It had worked even beyond his hopes.
I trow he will not tarry long in punishing the coward traitor!" Father Paul was less certain how far the King would interest himself in a private quarrel, but Peter Sanghurst's recent action with regard to Raymond might possibly be such as to stir even the royal wrath.
"It was then he spoke of thee, Joan." Sanghurst's voice took a new tone, and seemed to quiver slightly; he dropped the more formal address hitherto observed, and lapsed into the familiar "thou." "The sole trouble upon that pure soul was the thought of thee, left alone and unprotected in this harsh world.
She had almost forgotten the proximity of Basildene, and Peter Sanghurst's hateful suit, so long had been the time since she had seen him last, until the sound of his voice, breaking in upon a happy reverie, brought all the old disgust and horror back again, and she turned to face him with eyes that flashed with lambent fire.
There is a God above who can yet deliver me out of your hand if He will. If not if it be His will that I suffer in a righteous cause I will do it with a soul unseared by coward falsehood. There is my answer; you will get none other. Now do with me what you will. I fear you not." Peter Sanghurst's aspect changed.
Whilst Raymond had been stretched upon the rack, swooning from extremity of pain, Sanghurst's eyes, fixed in gloating satisfaction upon the helpless victim, had been caught by the sight of this token about his neck, secured by a strong silver cord. To possess himself of the charm, or whatever it might be, had been but the work of a moment.
Alicia's son!" almost screamed the old man. "Now Heaven be praised, for I can make restitution of all!" Raymond raised his eyes suddenly at an exclamation from Roger, to see a tall dark figure standing motionless in the doorway, whilst Peter Sanghurst's fiery eyes were fixed upon his face with a gaze of the most deadly malevolence in them. "The sickness in the town! Alackaday! Woe betide us all!
John came to the rescue by telling Raymond's own version of the story; and then he eagerly asked Joan of herself and what had become of her these past years, for he had seldom seen her, and knew not where she was living nor what she was doing knew not even if she were wedded, nor if Peter Sanghurst's suit were at an end or had been crowned by success.
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