“Silence!” exclaimed Gatliffe. “I do not care to listen to observations of this nature. Do not speak disparagingly of one who, whatever her faults may be, is far removed from either of us. I am surprised at the observations you have made, and I must beg of you not to allude to this subject. Indeed, I am at a loss to imagine why you have chosen to broach it.”
“Oh, I have done. She was once your wife, and now——”
“She is nothing to me only an honourable lady, whom I cannot do aught else but esteem and admire; but pray how did you come to know about my connections?”
Laura Stanbridge laughed.
“How?” said she. “Why, my dear Tom, I suppose you will admit that your devorce is a matter of public notoriety?”
“It was so many years ago I wish it to be forgotten. I wish to forget it myself if that be possible.”
“Then I will never again allude to the circumstance. My dear Tom, you need not be told that I am not likely to say anything to offend or annoy you. The past has passed away, and we have only to look to the future.”
“That is true,” said he, “and do you know, Lorrie, I have serious thoughts of beginning life again if that be possible?”
“And how do you propose to do this?”
“Well, I’ll tell you. I propose going to one of the Colonies—to America, or Australia, it doesn’t much matter which; but I am certain I shall be able to do well in either place, and, to say the truth, I am thoroughly sick of this country.”