"Wherefore should it? It was broken from the arm by accident within this moment. I noticed not the occurrence, but it must have been so."
"Then it follows that she was wedded, and I am not——"
"Illegitimate. For your own sake I am glad of it."
"My heart will burst. Oh! could I but establish the fact of this marriage, her wrongs would be indeed avenged."
"Listen to me, Luke," said the sexton, solemnly. "I told you, when I appointed this midnight interview, I had a secret to communicate. That secret is now revealed—that secret was your mother's marriage."
"And it was known to you during her lifetime?"
"It was. But I was sworn to secrecy."
"You have proofs then?"
"I have nothing beyond Sir Piers's word—and he is silent now."
"By whom was the ceremony performed?"