"I loved Lorin as soon as I met him, and I was proud of loving him, and encouraged him to love me in return. I agreed to marry him directly he asked me. I never tried to hide my feelings for him. You know this, don't you?"
"Why should you hide your feelings? He is a man any girl might be proud to love."
"He is indeed! That's what makes it so hard to give him up!"
Tears were raining down Laline's cheeks now and her voice was choked by sobs.
Alexander Wallace gazed upon her in wondering pity for a moment. Then he gently took her hands, which were pressed to her eyes, and drew her to the side of his chair.
"Tell me all your trouble, my child," he said, tenderly. "Why should you give up Lorin, since you love each other and since there is no quarrel between you?"
"Mr. Wallace," she faltered, "don't think too harshly of me! I have deceived you all. When I was little more than a child I was married!"
"Married?" Alexander repeated, in astonishment. "Then you are a widow?"
"No!"
"Your husband is alive?"