She is very
lovely, very fascinating and amiable."
"May I ask which of the two you intend to marry!" continued the
barrister, neither suppressing nor attempting to soften his indignant
tones. "As this country's laws are against a plurality of wives, you will
be unable, I imagine, to espouse them both."
Hartledon looked at him, beseechingly, and a sudden compassion came over
Mr. Carr. He asked himself whether it was quite the way to treat a
perplexed man who was very dear to him.
"If I am severe, it is for your sake. I assure you I scarcely know what
advice to give. It is Miss Ashton, of course, whom you intend to make
Lady Hartledon?"
"Of course it is. The difficulty in the matter is getting clear of
Maude."
"And the formidable countess-dowager. You must tell Maude the truth."
"Impossible, Carr. I might have done it once; but the thing has gone on
so long. The dowager would devour me."
"Let her try to. I should speak to Maude alone, and put her upon her
generosity to release you. Tell her you presumed upon your cousinship;
and confess that you have long been engaged to marry Miss Ashton."
"She knows that: they have both known it all along. My brother was the
first to tell them, before he died."
"They knew it?" inquired Mr. Carr, believing he had not heard correctly.
"Certainly. There has been no secret made of my engagement to Anne.
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