A great blot now came after the "Harrington," and wiping it up with the unresisting Richard's coat sleeve, Nina continued:
"—DO HEREBY SOLEMNLY—"
She was not sure whether "swear" or "declare" would be the more proper word, and she questioned Richard, who decided upon "swear" as the stronger of the two, and she went on:
"—SWEAR THAT THE MARRIAGE OF—
"As true as you live you can't SEE?" she asked, looking curiously into the sightless eyes.
"No; I can't see," was the response, and satisfied that she was safe, Nina made him write,
"—ARTHUR ST. CLAIRE AND NINA BERNARD, PERFORMED AT MY HOUSE, IN MY PRESENCE, AND BY ME—"
Nina didn't know what, but remembering a phrase she had often heard used, and thinking it might be just what was needed, she said,
"Does 'NULL AND VOID' mean 'SCRATCHED OUT?'"
"Yes," he answered, smiling in spite of himself, and Nina added with immense capitals,