“In point of honesty, yes; for he is as despicable a miscreant as ever lived; but, still, not likely to have married such a woman. And it may be possible that there was no California marriage at all. Therefore I feel very anxious to get this telegram.”
“But, sir, in case this woman who claims to be his wife has been deceived by a false marriage, and she is therefore not his wife, but his victim, and it should follow that the marriage ceremony performed yesterday should be legal——”
“It should not stand!” roared Abel Force, in sudden wrath. “It should be dissolved by law! In no case shall my daughter ever behold the face of that wretch again!”
“De Reberent Dr. Peters, sah, is waitin’ to see yer,” said Jake, putting his head into the door.
“Is there any one in the drawing room?”
“No, sah.”
“Then show Dr. Peters into the drawing room, and tell him that I will see him there in a moment.”
The man went to give his message.
Mr. Force put away his papers, locked his desk, and arose, saying:
“Come, Le; our suspense will be ended in another minute.”