Odalite, who was sobbing convulsively, shuddered, and covered her eyes with her hands.
The bridesmaids, who all knew him, for he had dined often at the tables of their parents, regarded him in fear and horror, and cast down their eyes to avoid looking at him.
But Angus Anglesea ignored them all, passed them, and, addressing Mrs. Force, said, almost apologetically:
“I did not wish or intend to make a scene. But it was more than even my self-possession could endure to see my wife in the arms of another man, who was about to kiss her. I only want my just and lawful rights. You, madam, know that your eldest daughter is my lawful wife. Knowing this, I would ask you why you permitted your daughter to commit a felony that exposes her to the penalty of the laws for such cases made and provided?”
“We thought that Odalite was free to marry. We thought that you were dead,” said Elfrida Force, who had suddenly grown superstitiously afraid of this man, who seemed to be a Satan in strength, subtlety and unscrupulous wickedness.
“You thought I was dead! Upon what ground? I am in the prime of life, and in the height of health.”
“We saw the notice of your death in a paper sent to us.”
“Really? Well, that is rather startling. I should like to see that paper.”
At this moment Dr. Priestly came up, and said:
“This is all very terrible. I—I do not understand it in the least.”