"Are you mad?" cried Ray, drawing back, and regarding his companion with severe displeasure.
"That is the second time I have been asked the same question within the past twenty-four hours. Do you know who the other person was who asked me that question?"
"Who?"
"Kate."
"O, he is mad!" cried Ray, stopping in his walk and surveying Bramwell with pity and despair.
The other went on, quietly looking his brother-in-law in the face steadily.
"The crisis of that disease went in her favour. She inserted that announcement of her death in order that I might feel myself free to marry if I chose. On her way to the River she came to this place to get one more sight of her child. I found her here----"
"And you forgave her?" said Ray, in a breathless voice.
"Yes."
"Why?" fiercely.