Meanwhile Stark met Lee, and the hollow unreality of his story fell sinister and threatening upon John's ear.
"You don't believe this nonsense," he asked simply when the tale was told.
"Every word of it! He has taken a solemn—a terrific oath. He is a man of the highest honour, or I never yet met with one!"
"You can credit these unheard-of deeds and believe that he performed them simply that you may get what you wanted?"
"Not so. 'Tis all done for her sake. He loved her. Even in losing her, he shows the noble character of his love for ever. His one thought is her happiness."
"I will never believe it. This is a gigantic lie. There's some foul deed hiding behind it, and you will live to see that I'm right."
"We shall not agree there, John. Don't think that I undervalue your great services to me. Don't think that I can ever forget your grand loyalty to your mistress. But in this matter, as a man of the world not lacking for sense and experience, I know that I am right. I am not clever, yet I feel that I can trust him. Norcot is a rare figure; but it heartens one, it enlarges one's ideas to know that such men exist. He himself is loved elsewhere; and now he desires to make us happy. I have told you all; I need only add that I believe him as I believe in Heaven, and I trust him absolutely. He has always been a true friend to me. For the present I remain here at this lodge, and on the night after our marriage, if the doctor allows it, I convey my wife back to her home. Now what shall I do for you, John Lee? The best can only be a shadow of what you have done for me."
"You're wrong; you're madly wrong! Where is Miss Grace herself? Did he tell you that?"
"No; but I gathered that she is in his house."
"Go your way then, and ask me no questions, for I shall go mine. You are mad in this and will live to repent such trust bitterly. His life—his whole life and behaviour towards her cry on my side."