Page:The Fate of Fenella (1892).djvu/195

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THE FATE OF FENELLA.

that——my dear fellow, pray forget what I have said."

"I shall forget nothing," said Jacynth sturdily. "I should advise you not to forget either. Look here, Castleton," catching his arm, "is it advisable to forget? Who knows what this telegram may mean? We are both friends of hers."

"Are you a friend of his?"

"No! Why should I disguise the truth? I have told you before how I regard him. But what has that got to do with it?"

"You are prejudiced."

"I am not. If you have anything to disclose, Castleton, disclose it! I may be of use to you——" He hesitated.

"Well, considering she has sent for you, I suppose she means to tell you herself," said Castleton. "And," reluctantly, "it is well you should know beforehand what there is to know, though I am surprised that she has not already told you." To him there was but one certainty, and that was that Fenella had betrayed to Onslow the part he took in the fatal night's work that murdered De Mürger. Probably Onslow had resented what she told him, and disbelieved it, and she had then sent for her lawyer. What else could demand so imperative a telegram? On the instant he opened his heart to Jacynth, and told him all his belief, all his doubts.

"I could never forget," said he, "how he looked