“In mercy’s name, what do you mean now?”
“I mean that this piece of paper proves no marriage. It only indicates that at the time of its being filled out, Lyon probably had sincere intention to marry you. But so far from its being a proof of your marriage, as it lies here before us, it affords an incontrovertible evidence that no such marriage ever took place!”
“Come! what next, I wonder? Are you also a monomaniac on this subject? And is madness infectious? If so, pray leave my presence before you inoculate me with the same mania!”
“I would to Heaven that you were right and that I were talking at random! But it is not so, Drusilla! ‘I speak the words of truth and soberness.’ This document proves that you were never married,” said Hammond, with as much earnestness as sadness.
“You are raving! In the name of reason how can you talk so frantically? That paper, of all things in the world, proves I never was married? Can any thing in the universe prove that I was never married, when I know I was? I am not a fool, or a lunatic, or a visionary, to imagine things that never happened. I saw and heard myself married to Alick by a regularly ordained minister, with a special license, and in the presence of a dozen witnesses. You talk wildly, Mr. Hammond! Yes, and very offensively!” she added.
“I beg you to forgive me and to bear with me, Drusilla,” he answered sadly, “but——”
“Call me by my husband’s name! I have a right to it!” interrupted the young matron, proudly, but mournfully.
“Yes, Heaven knows that you have a right to it! The holiest, if not the most lawful right, and I cannot refuse it to you. But, Mrs. Lyon, as I told you, I came here to serve and to save you if possible, and also one who is dearest of all to me; so in her service and in yours, I must convince you of the truth of what I have just said, however distressing it may be for me to press, or for you to believe,” said Dick, solemnly.
The earnestness and solemnity of his words deeply impressed her. A new terror struck all the color from her face—doubt, like the iron, entered her soul. She gazed at him transfixed.
“It is so,” said Hammond, turning away his eyes that he might not meet the agonizing appeal in hers. “It is so.