He sent for Mrs. Milton, and
asked her if Mrs. Walter Clifford was quite recovered.
Mrs. Milton reported she was quite well, and reading to her father. The
Colonel went upstairs and beckoned her out.
"My child," said he, "I am sorry to renew an agitating subject, but you
are a good girl, and a brave girl, and you mean to confide in me sooner
or later. Can you pity the agitation and distress of a father who for the
first time is compelled to doubt his son's honor?"
"I can," said Grace. "Ah, something has happened since we parted;
somebody has told you: that man with a certificate!"
"What, then," said the Colonel, "is it really true? Did he really show
you that certificate?"
"He did."
"And warned you not to marry Walter?"
"He did, and told me Walter would be put into prison if I did, and would
die in prison, for a gentleman can not live there nowadays. Oh, sir,
don't let anybody know but you and me and my father. He won't hurt him
for my sake; he has wronged me cruelly, but I'll be torn to pieces before
I'll own my marriage, and throw him into a dungeon.
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