"I did not hear the Major's reply, but I did what the Colonel said. "`It's all the better; the marriage will not be legal, and I can bring the parents to my own terms.' "All doubt was now at an end. He had married me convinced, and still convinced that I was Caroline Stanhope, and not Adele Chabot, and he had married me supposing that I was an heiress. My blood ran cold, and in a few seconds I was senseless, and should have fallen under the table had they not perceived that I was sinking, and ran to my support. The arrival of the clergyman with the water recovered me. My husband whispered to me that it was time to go, and that a carriage was at the door. I do not recollect how I left the church; the motion of the carriage first roused me up, and a flood of tears came to my relief. How strange is it, Valerie, that we should be _so_ courageous and such cowards at the same time. Would you believe when I had collected myself, with a certain knowledge that my husband had deceived himself--a full conviction of the danger of my position when he found out his mistake, and that my future happiness was at stake--I felt glad that the deed was done, and would not have been unmarried again for the universe. As I became more composed, I felt that it was time to act. I wiped away my tears and said, as I smiled upon my husband, who held my hand in his, `I know that I have behaved very ill, and very foolishly, but I was so taken by surprise.' "`Do you think that I love you the less for showing so much feeling, my dearest?' he replied, `no, no, it only makes you still more dear to me, as it convinces me what a sacrifice you have made for my sake.'