"'I am the Duke of Durimond,' answered he. She fell fainting at his feet. Unthinkingly, I pressed forward to succor her, thus revealing that I had overheard the conversation. The duke started, and said, 'This is no scene for your grace; if you will send an attendant from the house yonder to wait on this poor stranger, it will be kind of you.' I did as requested, but the agitation of my feelings caused an illness which detained us a long time in Scotland. I did not like to inform you of my illness then. The duke would have been kind, but I liked not to see him near me. Once or twice he tried to explain to me that the whole was a mistake, but I asked him not to mention it. When we came to London he again tried explanation, but I told him all explanation must be to you. He endeavored in vain to shake my resolution, and at length brought me here and sent for you. A lawyer was with him in London several times, and a Catholic priest was closeted with him the day he arrived. I suspect this unhappy business was the cause of their visits, but I have asked nothing. We have held little communication with each other since that unfortunate recognition in Scotland." "My poor child!" said the father "and was this your honeymoon?" Adelaide laid her head on her father's shoulder, and wept. "But why do you think the woman is a Roman Catholic, Adelaid?" "He told me so one day, and therefore, he says, the marriage is not valid." "Perhaps it is so, Adelaide." "But if it is so, she believes herself his wife, and she is pure, good, innocent; it is written in her face." "My poor child?" again ejaculated the father. How long they sat sorrowing silence they heeded not. Each felt that whichever hypothesis were true, married or not married, there was bitterness enough. At length the sound of voices in the hall warned Adelaide to seek her own apartment. Mr. Godfrey went immediately to the duke. "My daughter has been with me this morning, your grace," said he, in solemn, deliberate tones. "Ah yes! Well--Mr. Godfrey--well--your daughter is not quite well, I fear." "She is seriously unhappy, I am sorry to inform you, my lord duke." "Unhappy!--ah!--well, well; she has taken a youthful in discretion of mine somewhat too sorely to heart; but you, Mr. Godfrey, know that those little affairs are common enough to men of the world." "My daughter speaks of a previous marriage, your grace." "Pshaw! some few words she heard have been made to signify too much. Adelaide is my wife, my duchess. Let her be satisfied on that point." "It is just on that point she is not satisfied--it is just on that point that I now require to be satisfied." {187} "How can I satisfy you save by denying any other marriage?" "Has no ceremony ever passed between your grace and another woman who claims to be your wife?" "No legal ceremony, upon my honor as a nobleman." "No legal ceremony; some kind of ceremony has taken place, then?" said Mr. Godfrey.