Part 40 (2/2)

”Well in body, Constance--”

”Oh! then we can easily regulate your mind. I'm going to see Sybil, and I don't want your company; so adieu, Frank.”

”One moment, please. I want to--I _must_ see you, this evening. Shall you remain with us?”

”No. Aunt Honor below; we go home, soon.”

”Then--may I call, this evening, Constance?”

”What a question! as if you did not call whenever the spirit moved you so to do; come, if you like, child; I shall have no better company, I am afraid,” and on she swept, and had vanished within his sister's room, before Frank could decide whether to be chagrined, or delighted, at so readily given, carelessly worded, a consent.

The start, the nervous tremor, the terrified e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.ns, with which Sybil greeted, even this expected and welcome guest, all told how some deadly foe was surely undermining her life and reason. And Constance noted, with a sinking heart, the dark circles around the eyes that were growing hollow, and heavy, and full of a strange, wild expectancy: the pale cheeks, thinner than ever, and the woful weariness of the entire face.

Greeting her tenderly, and making no comments on her changed appearance, Constance chatted for a time on indifferent subjects, and noted closely, as a loving friend will, the face and manner of her listener. Sybil sat like one in a trance, rather a nightmare, her eyes roving from her visitor's face to the door, and back again, and this constantly repeated; her whole att.i.tude and manner, that of one listening, rather for some sound, or alarm, from afar, than to the words of the friend beside her.

At last, Constance finding commonplace about exhausted, said:

”Congratulate me, child! I have thrown off a burden from my shoulders; I have brought my diamond investigations to a close.”

”Ah! diamonds!” Sybil almost started from her chair, and the exclamation came sharply from lips white and trembling.

”Yes, my lost diamonds, you know; I have dismissed Mr. Belknap.”

”Belknap!” an unmistakable look of horror crossed her face. ”Dismissed him; oh, I wish _I_ could!”

Sorely at a loss, yet thinking it best not to seem surprised at what she believed to be the efforts of a wandering mind to grasp and master the subject under discussion, Constance talked on, answering questions and making observations, without allowing Sybil to see the surprise and sorrow that filled her heart; and, not until many days later did she recall her friend's wild words, to see how much of method there might be in this seeming madness.

”Mr. Belknap was conducting the search for the diamonds, you know, Sybil?”

Sybil seemed making an effort to collect her scattered senses.

”Yes, yes, Conny, go on,” she whispered.

”I have paid him off and am done with him; that's about all, dear.”

”Conny,” in a half whisper, ”is he _gone_?”

”I don't know about that; he said something about remaining here for a time.”

”Oh!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Sybil, and then, under her breath, ”My G.o.d!”

Constance shuddered as she looked upon the s.h.i.+vering figure before her, the wavering eyes, the hands clenching and unclenching themselves; she found conversation difficult, and began to wonder how she could avoid subjects that brought painful thoughts or suggestions. But suddenly a change came over Sybil; sitting erect, she looked fixedly at her friend, and asked:

”Conny, has _he_ tormented you of late?”

”He! Sybil; you mean--”

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