"
"Come to my arms, you pearl of goodness and nobility and unselfish love!"
cried Colonel Clifford. "How can I ever part with you now I know you?
There, don't let us despair, let's fight to the last. I have one question
to submit to you. Of course you examined the certificate very carefully?"
"I saw enough to break my heart. I saw that on a certain day, many years
ago, one Lucy Muller had married Walter Clifford."
"And who witnessed the marriage?" asked the Colonel, eyeing her keenly.
"Oh, I don't know that," said Grace. "When I came to Walter Clifford,
everything swam before my eyes; it was all I could do to keep from
fainting away. I tottered into my father's study, and, as soon as I came
to myself, what had I to do? Why, to creep out again with my broken
heart, and face such insults--All! it is a wonder I did not fall dead at
their feet."
"My poor girl!" said Colonel Clifford. Then he reflected a moment. "Have
you the courage to read that document again, and to observe in particular
who witnessed it?"
"I have," said she.
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