“Forget. Do not say what I never can forget.”
“And yet women have faced the Divorce Court for a man they love.”
“When a woman loves; but when she pities—no. I told you once—”
“I am not married to her,” he continued, with what he considered much passion. “You know I do not believe in marriage as a binding ceremony. Love only is binding. I went with her to a priest, and we signed our names. How can a priest—a mortal man—marry men and women for eternity?”
“Great Heaven!” said Launa, “and I meant to marry you. Thank God, I escaped.” Her piety would not have been so excessive had she loved him. “You would not have believed in your marriage with me?”
“No; but I had settled all I have or will have upon you by your name and on your children—I love you, but I see it is all over. . . . Good-bye. . . . Launa, my darling, wish me well.”
“I pray for that woman who is your wife, and I rejoice that I escaped. I thank Heaven—you told me lies, you wanted my pity, you—”
“Heaven had but little to do with this. Carden was the ruling spirit.”
“Go!” said Launa; “go before I say all I want to.”