“But why did you call yourself Mrs. Wyvil, and allow yourself to be considered as a widow, when your name was Hereward?” demanded the lady.
“Because my husband, on the day that he discarded me, forbade me to use his family name; and in obedience to him I dropped it, retaining only my own maiden name—Elizabeth Wyvil. I could not explain this fact to you without accusing my husband. Nor should I explain now but to prevent a great evil,” said Lilith.
Again silence fell between them, which Lilith was the first to break:
“You never once questioned me as to my state, madame. If you had asked me plainly, ‘Are you a widow?’ I must have told you that I was not except in fate. But you took it for granted that because I was not ‘Miss’ Wyvil I must be a widow.”
“Yes, you are right. It was my own assumption,” said the baroness.
“I am very sorry that I have been with you in a mistaken position. I am ready to make any amends in my power; ready even to leave your service at this moment, if it be your wish that I should do so.”
“This moment! Why, you are out at sea and will have no opportunity to leave until we reach Havre.”
“I remember that, madame; but if you wish to part with me, I can leave you without leaving the ship. I can refund my passage money, and end our connection now and here.”
“And what would you do then?”
“As soon as we reach Havre take passage in the first ship back to New York, and return to Mrs. Downie.”