“I hoped I would not have to tell you,” she said, “but now I must. Even if you do not love Gay you must help her. You must protect her from Freeman. Carter, will you keep what I say sacredly confidential?”
“Of course.”
“Freeman has a wife. He is married and his wife is living.”
“The devil you say!” Bruce exclaimed. “How do you know that?”
Gay, from her end of the porch, spoke.
“I can hear!” she warned. “I heard what Carter said.”
Henrietta lowered her voice.
“I know his wife. She is an old friend of mine,” she said. “Her name is Mary Vane. That is her name now, since she married Freeman.” Bruce was sufficiently interested now.
“Then his name is not Todder?” he asked.
“No,” said Henrietta. “It is Vane—William Vane. There are reasons why he cannot use it.”