Dol. Ralph Murdell! Humph! I don’t like the name—got a bad sound to it.
Hil. He took me to a little village in the suburbs about four miles from Norfolk, where we were married in a little chapel by an old country preacher.
Dol. And you were happy, I suppose?
Hil. Yes, until about two weeks later, when he was about to leave me. He said he had to go North to attend to some business. I would not listen to it, unless he took me with him.
Dol. That’s right, my girl! And he took you, of course?
Hil. Yes; but it was on condition that I should keep the marriage a secret, and not recognize him in the presence of others.
Dol. And what the deuce was that for?
Hil. He said his family were very proud, and he wanted to gain their consent before he made our marriage public.
Dol. Oh, the rascal! And you listened to him?
Hil. Yes, sir! To my sorrow, I did. He recommended me to a young lady who wanted a lady’s maid. I accepted the position on his assurance that he would soon claim me before the world as his wife.