"How could he dare marry then? And twice."
"Has he been married twice?"
"Yes, he married a second time about six months or a year ago--his late wife's sister."
"Then the children are by the first wife?"
"Yes. But the present wife is hardly more than a child herself; just fancy, she is eighteen and has been married nearly a year!"
"Was he like this when he married again?"
"No, I think not. He was in ill-health but not so bad as now. There are not many who can understand how it came about?"
"Have you seen her?"
"No, but my aunt says she is a delicate little creature, and very musical. She has played in public."
"Indeed, up in the north?"