"Gone?--dead? No! You do not mean that she is dead. You would have told me that at once. What is it that you mean? Say! Is my Lina not alive? Answer me."
"She lives," the mother answered, with a groan. "There! Nay, it is useless to press me. I tell you she is gone."
"Gone! Would you insinuate shame against my wedded wife? Unnatural!--against your own sweet daughter? Where has she gone?--and when?--and how?--I am after her. Tell me quick!"
"You cannot go to her, Joseph. She is far away. And"--laying her hand on his arm--"at least I can tell you this, and assure you with all my heart; there is nought to blush for. She was your faithful wife. No shame can light on her, or upon you."
"Was, you say?"
"Yes, lad; all's over now."
"What do you mean?"
"She is married--married again."
"Another man's wife? I do not believe you. What man would dare----? I'll have his life! But it is not true. Lina never would desert me."
"Word came that you were lost. Remember that. Pieces of the wreck were picked up at sea. And Lina--she nearly lost her reason. We thought that she would die."