“‘The marriage—in spite of quibbles—was a marriage in the sight of God, if not in the sight of man. The good old minister who pronounced the nuptial benediction over two young people who—at that time, at least, loved each other, and who were free to wed—married us as lawfully, as sacredly as all the united state and church could have married us! Repudiated and abandoned as I may be, I am still the wife of Luigi Saviola. And I will be true to myself. Though he has sacrilegiously wedded another woman, he is still my husband, and I will be faithful to him.’ “I had by this time recovered my self-possession, and felt some regret at the paroxysm of emotion into which I had been thrown. “‘Elfrida,’ he said, ‘this is sheer fatuity. You have no more right to call yourself the wife of Prince Saviola than you have to call yourself the consort of the czar. You are not a wife. You are free—free to accept the love and devotion that I lay at your feet.’ “I felt my heart rising again in wrath. I did not wish again to lose my self-control. I commanded myself, and, with forced calmness and some sarcasm, inquired: “‘Do I understand you to be offering me marriage Mr. Anglesea?’ “He took his hand from the back of my chair, over which he had been leaning, and walked away with a look of petulance and annoyance. Presently he returned to my side, and said: “‘Dearest Elfrida, men do not offer marriage under these circumstances.’ “I turned and looked him straight in the face as I demanded: “‘What, then, is it that you do offer your friend’s sister?’ “He winced slightly, but answered: “‘All that a man may offer—under the circumstances—love, devotion, protection. My heart and my fortune. The use of my country seat and town house until—ahem!—such settlements as may secure your future from want. Elfrida, hear me!’ “And again he poured forth a torrent of insults, which pretended to be love, admiration, adoration—what you will, but which were gross insults. When he had talked himself out of breath I only answered: “‘Mr. Anglesea, you have offended me beyond hope of pardon. Leave my presence at once, and never dare to enter it again.’ “He did not go, but stood there and recommenced his insulting suit. “I went and put my hand upon the bell. “‘Will you leave the room, or shall I call the people of the house to put you out?’ “‘Neither, Elfrida. You will hear me,’ he said. “I pulled the cord, and with such effect that a servant quickly entered the room. “‘Show this gentleman out,’ I said. “The man bowed and held the door open. “‘Thanks, Fritz. I can find my own way. You needn’t wait,’ said Anglesea, with cool insolence. “The man bowed and withdrew. “Anglesea turned to me with a smile. “Quick as lightning I formed a resolution and acted upon it. I darted through the door leading into my bedroom, closed it behind me, and shot the bolt to secure myself. I heard him laugh as I dropped breathless into a chair.