She always threatened to
tell that I had killed Selina, though I was innocent."
"If you were, why need you have been afraid?"
"Circumstances were too strong for me," said Mrs. Octagon,
wiping her dry lips and glaring like a demon. "I had to give
in. Had I known of that factory I would have spoken out. As
it was, I wrote to Caranby when in a fit of rage; but
afterwards I was afraid of what I had done, as I thought
Emilia would tell."
"She certainly would have done so had she not died so
opportunely."
"Do you mean to say that I killed her? I tell you, Maraquito
did so."
"What makes you think that?" asked Mallow, delighted at the
mistake.
"Because she was always fighting with Emilia about you.
Maraquito wished to marry you, and Emilia would not let her.
After Emilia died, Maraquito saw me, and we arranged to stop
the marriage, and--"
"I know all about that. I saw you--or rather my uncle saw
you--enter Maraquito's Soho house."
"I went on Basil's account also," said Mrs. Octagon, sullenly,
"however, I have told you all. What do you wish to do?"
"I wish to marry Juliet."
"Then I refuse," said Mrs. Octagon, savagely.
"In that case I'll tell."
"You will disgrace Juliet. Besides, the law can't touch me."
"I am not so sure of that. You were an accessory after the
fact. And if the public knew that you had acquiesced in the
death of your sister and had held your tongue for years, you
would not be popular.
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