"You're mistaken," he said coldly. "Such charges against the lady to whom you refer are impossible."
"You know of this marriage then?"
"Yes—I'm even popularly supposed to be engaged to the bride!"
"But you are not—tell me you are not."
"Of course I'm not—I've never had the slightest interest in her, except as a friend."
"You relieve me immensely. To lay such charges at the door of one you loved—to break your heart— I could not have done it."
"You could not do it in any event—to a woman of her nature such things would be impossible. I assure you, it is some grievous mistake."
She shook her head.
"Why should my husband be a witness to this secret marriage?"
"Was he——?"