"I can't stay," she urged, "Let me go."
A lady near thought her fainting, and offered her vinaigrette, which was politely accepted by Edward.
After the most cursory examination of the famous pictures, they gladly left; and hailing a carriage at the door, rode swiftly home.
"It was Paul's voice. I am sure of it," murmured the poor wife. "Paul Dudley, my husband. I must see him."
"You forget," urged her brother, "that he has forfeited that holy tie. I caught a glimpse of his face; and I assure you, I should never have recognized it as belonging to one, once so familiar to me."
She was weeping bitterly, while he stood by, wondering what he could say to comfort her.
"Oh, I wish my boy were here!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands convulsively. "Our boy. I would send him to his father. You couldn't deny him a sight of his own child."
"Gertrude, you are beside yourself. You must be aware that Paul, the father, has a right to his son;—that he can take him from you at any moment. He may use this power; or by it he may extort from you every cent of your fortune."
She shuddered visibly; and at length exclaimed:
"Oh, Edward, be merciful! You separated us. I feel this moment that I could forgive every thing if he will only take me again. Perhaps God would help me win him back to virtue."