"But now tell me, on your word of honour," she said to him that same night, happening to find herself alone with him, "are you really and truly married to Amy?"
She was delighted to see him blaze up in anger.
"Hester, you insult us both!" he said.
"No, Cornelius," returned Hester, "I have a right to distrust you—but I distrust only you. Whatever may be amiss in the affair, I am certain you alone are to blame—not Amy."
Thereupon Cornelius swore a solemn oath that Amy was as much his lawful wife as he knew how to make her.
"Then what is to be done with her when you go home? You cannot expect she will be welcomed. I have not dared tell them of your marriage—only of your illness. The other must be by word of mouth."
"I don't know what's to be done with her. How should I know!" answered Cornelius with a return of his old manner. "I thought you would manage it all for me! This cursed illness—"
"Cornelius," said Hester, "this illness is the greatest kindness God could show you."
"Well, we won't argue about that!—Sis, you must get me out of the scrape!"
Hester's heart swelled with delight at the sound of the old loving nursery-word. She turned to him and kissed him.