They were innocent
of this charge of coining, brought against them by an enemy."
"The evidence was very plain, Mrs. Herne."
"Ah!" she flashed out, "you have been looking up the case.
Why?"
"From what Lord Caranby said--"
"He has no right to say anything," cried Mrs. Herne, rising
and speaking vehemently; "he loved my sister, and she lost her
life at that dreadful house. I was abroad at the time, and
had only just married. My husband was a jeweller. We cut
ourselves off from the family when the misfortune came. Only
of late years did I recognize Maraquito when she came to me
for assistance. Her father died and she had no money. I
helped her to pay for her dancing--"
"Oh," said Jennings, recalling the false money, "you paid."
"Have you anything to say on that point?" she asked haughtily.
"No! No! I merely congratulate you on your generosity."
"I could not allow my own niece to starve. I helped her, and
then she met with the accident. After that--"
"You assisted her to start this gambling-house."
"By no means. Mr. Hale found the money for that. He is in
love with Maraquito. But you can understand why I do not
proclaim my relationship with her. The past of our family is
too painful. I became acquainted with Miss Loach through Mrs.
Octagon--she was then the wife of Mr. Saxon--when I went
to inquire into my sister's death. I liked Miss Loach and
frequently went to see her. Now that she is dead I shall
leave England.
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