Gordon was announced, and in about three sentences he told her that, though the affair was a secret, he was Penelope's husband.
"I knew you were," said Titania. "When I heard you wanted to see me, I knew you were coming to say so. Oh, good-bye. Ask Lord Bradstock to send for a doctor. Good-bye, Mr. Gordon. Go now."
And Gordon went, just as De Vere came in.
"You have come to say you have married Penelope, I know," said Titania. "I feel sure you have."
"I have a heart for sorrow, for disgrace, for all things lovely. I—I am responsible for everything, even the Times," said De Vere, who was as pale as plaster.
"Leave me," said Titania. "Go and see her at once. Settle who it is. Go!"
And when he had gone, Carteret Williams and Carew came one after the other with the same confession. And she received them sadly, and appeared to wander. When the house was empty, she sent for Bradstock.
"Augustin, dear Augustin," she said, "you won't let them put me in an asylum. Have me taken care of at home, won't you? Don't let Goring give me cruel keepers. I am quite gentle and broken down!"
"I won't let anything beastly be done," said Bradstock. "But, my dear child, what's the matter?"
And Titania told him: