He mentioned two hundred a-year, and from
that time I paid it regularly."
"And was she really insane?" interrupted Lady Hartledon.
"Yes; she had been so once or twice before--and this was what the
housekeeper had meant by saying she was with the doctor that her health
might be watched. It appeared that when these symptoms came on, after I
left, Gordon took upon himself to disclose to the doctor that Agnes was
married to me, telling the circumstances as they had occurred. Dr. Mair
got frightened: it was no light matter for the son of an English peer to
have been deluded into marriage with an obscure and insane girl; and the
quarrel that took place between him and Gordon on the occasion resulted
in the latter's leaving. I have never understood Gordon's conduct in the
matter: very disagreeable thoughts in regard to it come over me
sometimes."
"What thoughts?"
"Oh, never mind; they can never be set at rest now. Let me make short
work of this story. I heard no more and thought no more; and the years
went on, and then came my marriage with Maude. We went to Paris--_you_
cannot have forgotten any of the details of that period, Anne; and after
our return to London I was surprised by a visit from Dr. Mair. That
evening, that visit and its details stamped themselves on my memory for
ever in characters of living fire."
He paused for a moment, and something like a shiver seized him.
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