"Read," he said, briefly.
With rapidly fading color, with eyes that grew round and wide, with mingled conviction and dismay, Wilhelm Mencke read the marriage certificate, which proved that Wallace Hamilton Richardson and Violet Draper Huntington had been legally united, by a well-known clergyman of Cincinnati, about three weeks previous to the sailing of the young girl for Europe.
The man knew it was the truth, and this conviction was plainly stamped upon his face as he read; but he was so enraged by the fact, and also by the secret fear that Wallace might make him some trouble pecuniarily, that he lost control of his temper and reason.
A coarse, angry oath escaped him, and then he cried out, as he grew crimson with passion:
"It is a —— forgery, cleverly executed for the purpose of gaining his own ends."
Lord Cameron colored and drew himself up with dignity, while he remarked, with marked displeasure:
"Mr. Mencke, allow me to request you to refrain from profanity in the presence of my mother."
"Beg pardon, your lordship," said Mencke, looking somewhat abashed, "but I am so upset by this blamed trick that I forgot myself entirely."
"It is no trick, sir—it is the truth," quietly returned Vane Cameron.
"What do you mean, Lord Cameron? How can you know anything about it?" cried Mrs. Mencke, forgetting, for the moment, her weakness and agitation in her surprise at his positive declaration.