"Come, I say!" cried Mr. Temple petulantly; "have you no consideration for me? It can all be explained; we will talk over the matter when we are alone."
"We must talk of it now," said Arthur solemnly, "with God's light shining upon us, and before His House of Prayer."
A high purpose shone in the young man's face, and his manner was sad and earnest. He took Mrs. Lenoir's hand with infinite tenderness and respect:
"Will you answer, with truth, what I shall ask you?"
"As truthfully as I would speak in presence of my Maker!" replied Mrs. Lenoir, with downcast head.
"This gentleman is my father. What is he to you?"
"He is the father of my dear child, torn from me by a cruel fraud, and now, thank God, Oh, thank God! restored to me by a miracle. He should have been my husband. When he prevailed upon me to fly with him--I loved him, and was true to him in thought and deed, as God is my Judge!--he promised solemnly to marry me."
"And then----"
"I can say no more," murmured Mrs. Lenoir with sobs that shook the souls of all who heard; "he deserted me, and left me to shame and poverty. O, my child!" she cried, turning her streaming eyes to the Duchess, "tell me that you forgive me!"
"It is not you who need forgiveness, mother," sobbed the Duchess, falling into her mother's arms.