"She had put there your father's first-born son," said Paul.
"It is false! She had put there her bastard by another man!"
Silent and awful, Paul stood a moment, with an expression of agony so horrible that for an instant even Hugh Ritson quailed before it.
"Go on," he said, huskily, and crouched down into his seat.
"Your mother was married before," said Hugh, "and her marriage was annulled. It was invalid. A child was born of that union."
Paul lifted his head.
"I won't believe it!"
"It is true, and you shall believe it!"
Paul's heart sickened with dread.
"Your father married again, and had a daughter. Your mother married again, and had a son. Your father's daughter is now living. Shall I tell you who she is? She is your wife—the woman you have married to-day!"