human
Jean and I arrived at Falmouth. There we heard that Zelia was very ill, and that Beauchamp had taken her to his plantation. Dr. Warrender, our informant said, was in attendance. The whole town knew that she was my wife, that she had dishonored me, and that I was on my may to settle accounts with the man who had wrecked my happiness. My cousin and I rode out to Beauchamp's plantation, for it was within a few miles of Falmouth, as I said. The night was dark and stormy--we arrived in pouring rain, and by the wailing of the negroes we knew that death was in the house. Yes --he grew dramatic--
gpt
Zelia was dead; torture, remorse, sorrow, had brought about her punishment!
human
You are very ready to condemn her,
gpt
She had dishonored me! cried the man, waxing melodramatic.
human
It was well that she should die. I rushed away to her room, where she lay calm in death, and Jean remained to arrange matters with Beauchamp. I challenged him to a duel. Jean was my second. But Beauchamp refused to fight, and--he murdered Jean.
gpt
Murdered your cousin?
human
Yes. I was praying beside my wife's bed. I heard cries for help, and when I came out I found Jean dead, stabbed to the heart by Beauchamp. The scoundrel had fled--he had taken my child with him.
gpt
Why should he have encumbered himself with the child?
human
To wring my heart! replied Lestrange savagely.
gpt
He knew that I loved my little Marie. He carried her away. I would have followed, but all my troubles and the shock of Zelia's death brought on an attack of fever. I rose from my bed weeks later to hear that Beauchamp had vanished. On the night he committed the double crimes of murder and kidnapping he went on board his yacht at Falmouth, and was never heard of again. I searched for him everywhere, but without success.
human
What about his estate?
gpt
There he has been cunning. It seemed that he had long since planned to elope with Zelia, and that some weeks before he had sold his land. He took the money with him, and the child. Had Zelia been alive she would have gone too. As months and years went by, I gave up hope, and I believed that the yacht had foundered.
human
I can listen to this no longer, she said.
gpt
You are telling lies.
human
Her mother's temper, muttered Lestrange.
gpt
Zelia's masterly way of crushing argument.
human
Don't call her my mother! cried Sophy.
gpt
I won't have it. I am not the child that was taken away by Beauchamp. I never knew any one of that name.
human
Probably not, replied Lestrange smoothly.
gpt
There were reasons for its being kept from you. But Mr. Thorold----
human
Mr. Thorold is waiting to hear the end of the story, said that gentleman coolly.
gpt
I have yet to hear who Beauchamp is and how you traced him.
human
This is mere evasion. The Captain was losing his temper somewhat.
gpt
You know who the man is as well as I do.
human
I am waiting to hear how you connect the two.
gpt
What two?