"Kept you a prisoner! I! Madam, you jest. Has not your foot had something to do with your confinement? Is it not holding you a prisoner still?" "It won't do long, so don't you think it. I'll be out and about before the day's over, and when I am I'll make things hum. Is my husband dead?" "Your husband?" "My husband! Are you deaf?" "No, madam, not yet. So far age has not robbed me of my hearing. But to whom do you refer when you speak of your husband?" There was that in the fashion in which he asked the question which caused her to clench her fists, tighten her lips and descend to vulgarity--unfortunately an easy descent for her to make when her temper waxed warm. "What are you playing at? Do you think you're clever, or that I'm an utter fool? You're wrong if you do, you may take it from me. Is my husband, Cuthbert Grahame, dead? I've not been able to get an answer out of that old harridan, but I'll get one out of you." "Then is Cuthbert Grahame your husband?" "Is he! Isn't he? Didn't he marry me the other night in front of you and that old woman?" "Have you a certificate or any writing to show it?" "A certificate! What do I want with a certificate? You said nothing about a certificate! Look here, old man, don't you try to play any fool-tricks with me, or you'll be sorry. Are you trying to make out that he's not my husband?" "Not at all; I am trying to do nothing. I should like to ask you a question, to which, before you answer it, I would suggest that you should give a little careful consideration. Would you rather be Cuthbert Grahame's wife or not?" "I am his wife, and you very well know it, so it's no use talking, and that's enough said. I ask you again, is my husband dead?" "Your husband? That is the point which I am gradually approaching. Mr. Cuthbert Grahame is not dead." Her jaw dropped open. "Not dead?" "Not dead." "But you told me----" "Precisely; I am aware that I told you. You will, however, remember that I made an express reservation in favour of a miracle. The miracle has happened." "How long will he live?" "Madam, I am not omniscient. I have once, within your knowledge, failed as a prophet; I should not care to fail again." "Is he dying?" "I may venture to say that, at the present moment, to the best of my knowledge and belief, he is not." "You are beating about the bush. You can at least say if he is likely to live long." "It is possible, madam, that he may outlive me--even you." "Then you have cheated me!--cheated me! You have got me into this mess by your lies." "Any injustice I may have done you was unintentional. You will also be so good as to observe that I have just now offered you something which was intended to be in the nature of a loophole out of the dilemma in which you are placed." "You mean when you asked me if I wanted to be his wife. Am I his wife, or am I not?"