Mohun, of
the ancient family of the Mohuns,--he is the husband and the dupe of a
thief!"'
"She was splendid as she uttered these words, Surry. They thrilled me,
and made my blood flame. I half rose, nearly beside myself--then I
resumed my seat and my coolness. A moment afterward I was as calm as I
am at this moment, and said, laughing:--
"'So you have prepared that pretty little tableau, have you, madam? I
compliment you on your skill;--and even more on your nerve. But have
you not omitted one thing--a very trifling portion, it is true, of the
indictment to be framed against you? I refer to the little scene of
this evening, madam.'
"Her teeth closed with a snap. Otherwise she exhibited no emotion. Her
flashing eyes continued to survey me with the former defiance.
"'Is there not an additional clause in the said indictment, madam?' I
calmly continued, 'which the commonwealth's attorney will perhaps rely
on more fully than upon all else in the document, to secure your
conviction and punishment? You are not only a bigamist and an
ex-convict,--you are also a poisoner, my dear madam, and may be hanged
for that. Or, if not hanged--there is that handsome white house at
Richmond, the state penitentiary. The least term which a jury can affix
to your crime, will be eighteen years, if you are not sent there for
life! For life!--think of that, madam.
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