‘Do not touch me! Do not speak to me! Leave me now, for God’s sake!’
After a long-drawn sigh, expressive of supreme sympathy and commiseration, and a prolonged look full of quasi-paternal emotion, Sir George left the room. George followed, with a muttered ‘Good-night!’ to which his cousin paid no attention.
Father and son passed out into the street, where the manner of both underwent a decided change.
‘Well that’s over!’ exclaimed the baronet.
‘The poor girl bears it far better than I expected; for it is a horrible situation.’
‘Then you mean to do as she tells you,’ said George, ‘and let the scoundrel alone?’
‘For the time being, yes. After all, Alma is right, and we must endeavour to avoid a public exposure.’
‘It’s sure to come out. It’s bigamy, you know—Bigamy!’ lie added, with more emphasis and a capital letter.
‘So it is—if it is true. At present, you know, we have no proofs whatever—only suspicions. God bless me! how ridiculous we should look if the whole thing turns out a mare’s nest after all! Alma will never forgive us! You really feel convinced that there was a previous marriage?’
‘I’m sure of it,’ returned George. ‘And, whether or not——’