“‘What is it, madame?’ inquired the nurse, who was seated beside my sleeping baby’s crib.
“‘Nothing,’ I answered. And the girl, seeing that I did not mean to be questioned, became silent.
“Soon I heard Anglesea leave the room and walk downstairs.
“A little later on I rang again and gave orders that if the gentleman who had just gone out came again, he was not to be admitted to my apartments.
“Then I began my preparations for leaving Geneva. I clung with all my heart and soul and strength to the conviction that my marriage was sacred. Saviola and myself were both single when we married. The venerable minister of God who united us was most solemnly in earnest when he performed the rites and gave us his benediction. We were married, and no subsequent nuptials of Saviola could affect that undeniable fact.
“Yet—though I felt so sure of the reality and sanctity of our marriage, I was resolved never under any circumstances to be reunited with Saviola so long as a doubt of the fact remained on my mind.
“I would go, as I had planned, to Weirdwaste, and live there with my child, retaining my marriage name and title for the boy’s sake as well as for my own.
“I made such progress with my preparations that they were completed by nightfall.
“Anna, my Swiss nursemaid, agreed to go with me to England and remain with me until I could supply her place, when I would pay her expenses back to Geneva.
“After my tea was over that evening, and as Fritz went out with the service, I told him to bring my bill, and have it include the night’s lodging and the next morning’s breakfast.