"Really, I can't remember the conversation, word for word; she came to make the arrangements, and I inferred——"
"Did she say that she was going to marry Lieutenant Kingsland?"
"She certainly gave me the impression that such was the case."
"But did she actually say so?"
The old man was lost in thought for a moment, striving to recall some direct admission, but at length shook his head sadly, saying:—
"No. I can't remember that she did, in so many words; but she led me to suppose——"
"You've inferred; you've been given the impression; you've been led to suppose, Mr. Lambert, what did not exist. I have, however, held in my hand and carefully examined the special licence under which you performed the ceremony, and which was drawn for a marriage between Lieutenant Kingsland and myself. I was the bride whom you married; it was I who repeated the vows which you gave me; my name is Isabelle, also, remember, and it was I who signed that name as 'bride' in your register, where it should be now, if you had not changed it."
"Bless my soul! This is most bewildering! You say I married you to Lieutenant Kingsland?"
"Yes, Mr. Lambert, you did, and Miss Fitzgerald and Colonel Darcy were the witnesses."
"But this is a serious matter, a very serious matter, Lady Isabelle. This wedding seems to have been performed under false pretences."