My grandmother was married; she was the true Lady Mardykes; _think_ what it was to see a woman like that turned out of doors, and her children robbed of their name.

O, ma'am, you _can't_ think it; unless you were me, you couldn't--you couldn't--you couldn't!" "Come, come, Master Philip, don't you be taking on so; and ye mustn't be talking like that, d'ye mind?
You know he wouldn't stand that; and it's an old story now, and there's naught can be proved concerning it; and what I think is this--I wouldn't wonder the poor lady was beguiled.

But anyhow she surely thought she was his lawful wife; and though the law may hev found a flaw somewhere--and I take it 'twas so--yet sure I am she was an honourable lady.

But where's the use of stirring that old sorrow?
or how can ye prove aught?
and the dead hold their peace, you know; dead mice, they say, feels no cold; and dead folks are past fooling.

So don't you talk like that; for stone walls have ears, and ye might say that ye couldn't _un_say; and death's day is doom's day.