It is not that I am anxious to take anything from him that belongs to him.' Then, as they were approaching the gate, he stood still.

'But now, in such an emergency as this, when a question has risen as to his power of making you his wife----' 'I will not hear of that.

I am his wife.' 'Then it may become my duty and your mother's to--to--to provide you with a home till the law shall have decided.' 'I cannot leave his home unless he bids me.' 'I am telling you of my duty--of my duty and your mother's.' Then he passed out through the gate, thus having saved his conscience from the shame of a false farewell; and she slowly made her way back to the house, after standing for a moment to look after him as he went.

She was almost sure now that something was intended.

He would not have spoken in that way of his duty unless he had meant her to suppose that he intended to perform it.