Oh, it was years ago; but she is alive."
"Impossible! He could not be so base."
"Papa," said Mary, very gravely, "I have seen the certificate."
"The certificate!" said Hope, in dismay. "What certificate?"
"Of the Registry Office. It was shown me by a gentleman she sent
expressly to warn me; she had no idea that Walter and I were married, but
she had heard somehow of our courtship. I try to thank her, and I tried,
and always will, to save him from a prison and his family from disgrace."
"And sacrifice yourself?" cried Hope, in agony.
"I love him," said Mary, "and you must spare him."
"I will have justice for my child."
Grace was in such terror lest her father should punish Walter that she
begged him to consider whether in sacrificing herself she really had not
been unintentionally wise. What could she gain by publishing that she had
married another woman's husband "I have lost my husband," said she "but I
have found my father. Oh take me away and let me rest my broken heart
upon yours far from all who know me.
Pages:
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353