"Living together!"
There was fire enough in his heart then. It flashed from his eyes, and made every nerve in his body tremble.
"Living together!" he repeated, with sickening pain. "Tear them apart, Rice. She has no moral guilt now, but it may come to that. Tear him from her side. He is your sister's husband—she was my wife! Drag them asunder! I could not see her living with that man, without tearing him all to pieces! No, no; if the choice is guilt or disgrace, let the shame come. I can bear it. My little girl—God help us—she can bear it."
Rose began to cry, and creeping up to her father, nestled her little hand in his.
"Don't, father; she'll come back again, if you only ask her!"
Mason grasped the little hand till Rose almost cried out with the pain, but she was a brave child, and gave no sign that she was hurt.
At last Mason addressed Rice more composedly, but still in a trembling voice.
"Where was this thing done, Rice?"
"In that house. The minister himself married them. All the family saw it, Jube and Paul among the rest."
"Is there a register?"