Debt, Imprisonment for -- Fiction; London (England) -- History -- 18th century -- Fiction
Here the bridegroom pulled out his purse and threw it on the table. He
spoke not a word, however; I think his brain was wandering, and he knew
not what he did. Yet he obeyed the voice of the Doctor, and fell into
the trap that was set for him, like a silly bird allured by the whistle
of the fowler. I am certain that he knew not what he did.
The Doctor pulled one guinea from the purse, and handed it back to the
owner.
"Roger," he said, "go drink his lordship's health; and hark
ye--silence. If I hear that you have told of this morning's doings, it
shall be the worst day in all your life. I threaten not in vain. Go!"
Then the Doctor took up the tankard of ale which stood in the
window-seat.
"Your health, my lord;" he drank a little and passed it to his
lordship, who drained it; and then, with a strange, wild look, he
reeled to the Doctor's arm-chair and instantly fell fast asleep.
"Your husband is not a drunkard, Kitty, though this morning he appears
in that light."
"But am I married?" I asked.
"You are really married. You are no longer Kitty Pleydell; you are
Catherine, Lady Chudleigh. I wish your ladyship joy."
I stared at him.
"But he does not know me; he never saw me," I remonstrated.
"That he does not know you yet is very true," replied the Doctor. "When
the fitting time comes for him to know you, be sure that I will remind
him. For the present he shall not know whom he has married.
"I perceive," he went on, seeing that I made no reply, "that thou art
a good and obedient child. Ask no questions of me. Say not one word to
any one of this day's work. Be silent, and thou shalt have thy reward.
Remember--_be silent_. Now go, child. Go, Lady Chudleigh."
CHAPTER XIII.
HOW LORD CHUDLEIGH WOKE OUT OF SLEEP.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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