Her voice died away on a little sob and after a moment the Earl asked,
“What happened then?”
“As I was – struggling he had b-backed me against a side table. There had been c-cold dishes on it when we were having dinner. I put out my hand – and I felt the handle of a – knife.”
Her fingers tightened convulsively on the Earl’s.
“I – knew it was the only – thing that could s-save me,” she faltered.
The Earl did not speak and after a moment she continued,
“His arms held m-mine to my sides – and I could only just m-move my hand – but I –”
Again her voice died away and the Earl asked,
“What did you do?”
“I d-drove the – knife with all my f-force into his – stomach!”
She gave a little cry.
“It was horrible! It went in so easily – right up to the hilt – and for a moment he did not m-move
