"An illegal marriage? What do you mean?" he demanded, and there was something in his voice that no one present had ever heard there before.
"Illegal, papa, because this woman is his lawful wife." And Kate gave a brief explanation of the situation.
"Is that so?" he appealed to the woman, his tones strangely quiet.
"Yes, Señor; I have the papers to prove it."
"Do you admit it?" he demanded of Walcott, with a glance which made the latter quail, while his hand sought one of the loaded revolvers lying on the table.
"We were married years ago, but I did not know the woman was living; I swear I did not. I supposed she was dead until the day she came to me."
"How about the past year? You have known all this time that she was living, yet you have dared to press your suit for my daughter, you dog! Not another word!" he exclaimed, as Walcott strove to form some excuse.
He raised his hand and the revolver gleamed in the light. Mr. Britton grasped him by the arm.
"David, old friend, calm yourself!" he exclaimed. "Don't be rash or foolish; let the law take its course."
"The law!" interposed Mr. Underwood, fiercely; "do you think I'd take a case of this kind into the courts? Charges such as these against a man whose name has been publicly associated with my daughter's as her betrothed husband, and the principal witness against that man his own wife! Do you suppose for a moment I'll have my daughter's name dragged through such mire? No, by God! I'll blow the dog's brains out with my own hand first!"