VIVIAN EXPLAINS
Major Ruck made no remark, but stood silent and motionless, ever smiling, according to his custom. Beatrice, on the contrary, uttered an exclamation of surprise, and ran forward to throw herself into Vivian's arms. Suddenly she stopped.
"Do you mean what you say?" she asked, hesitating.
"I do," he replied firmly. "The obstacle I spoke of has finally been removed, and I am free to marry you."
"Can I believe this?" murmured Beatrice, clasping her hands and looking down doubtfully. "For a long time you held back from asking me to be your wife, although you must have seen that I loved you. On the night Mr. Alpenny was killed you proposed, and I accepted you."
"Ah!" said Major Ruck, smiling more broadly than ever.
"Then," continued Beatrice, still addressing Paslow, "you again changed your mind, and said that some obstacle, which you then declared was removed, again prevented our marriage. Now you come once more and say much the same as you said before. How do I know but what you may change your mind again?"
"I have never changed my mind throughout," cried Vivian impetuously; "there was an obstacle. I thought that it was removed, and then I discovered that it still remained: Now I have made strict inquiries, and I learn that I am free."
"What is the obstacle?" asked Beatrice, very pale, and still doubtful.
"I can tell you that," remarked Major Ruck, changing his attitude for the first time; "this young gentleman is married."