“I had loved her long, ma'am; and when trouble came her the time came for me to stand by her side.”
“You had not spoken to her then—till—”
“Not till last night. I said before the governor of the prison and Mrs. Innes that we were husband and wife. If you please, ma'am, we shall have the proper ceremony as soon as possible.”
“I wish I had known,” said Alexa—almost to herself, with a troubled smile.
“I wish you had, ma'am,” responded Andrew. She raised her face with a look of confidence.
“Will you please to forget, Andrew?”
Nobility had carried the day. She had not one mean thought either of him or the girl.
“To forget is not in man's power, ma'am; but I shall never think a thought you would wish unthought.”
She held out her hand to him. They were friends forever.
“Will you be married here, Andrew? The house is at your service,” she said.