Out of her sphere - University Library

150 OUT OF HER SPHERE.
mistress had worn the last time she saw
her. Deb did not wait to be asked if it
was hers, but shrieked with horror at the
sight, and a murmur ran through the
room, which spoke ill for the state of feel-
ing against Audley Dale.
His lips quivered as he looked at the
flimsy thing fluttering even in that close
air. He was thinking, not of his own peril,
but of her who had worn it. She had
been a good friend to him, that poor, gay,
foolish creature, and now all these dolts
and fools would condemn her for lightness
or falsity, and heap whatever filth and
mire they could upon her name. The eyes
that were watching his face so intently, mis-
construed even this natural emotion ;
it was
that of a murderer looking on some relic of
his victim. The coroner turned to him,
and giving him the usual caution, asked
if he had anything to say in explanation of
the circumstances that appeared so against