Nothing was decided: except that Dr. Mair, in his compassion
towards Lady Maude, promised not to be the first to take legal steps.
It seemed that there was only him to fear: George Gordon was reported
to have gone to Australia; the old housekeeper was dead; Agnes was
deranged. Dr. Mair left, and Carr and I sat on till midnight. Carr took
what I thought a harsh view of the matter; he urged me to separate from
Maude--"
"I think you should have done so for her sake," came the gentle
interruption.
"For her sake! the words Carr used. But, Anne, surely there were two
sides to the question. If I disclosed the facts, and put her away from
me, what was she? Besides, the law might be against me--Scotland's
iniquitous law; but in Heaven's sight _Maude_ was my wife, not the other.
So I temporized, hoping that time might bring about a relief, for Dr.
Mair told me that Miss Waterlow's health was failing. However, she
lived on, and--"
Lady Hartledon started up, her face blanching.
"Is she not dead now? Was she living when you married me? Am _I_ your
wife?"
He could hardly help smiling. His calm touch reassured her.
"Do you think you need ask, Anne? The next year Dr. Mair called upon me
again--it was the evening before the boy was christened; he had come to
London on business of his own. To my dismay, he told me that a change for
the better was appearing in Miss Waterlow's mental condition; and he
thought it likely she might be restored to health.
Pages:
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581