“Is it likely that it will ever be made public from the registrar’s office?” “Practically impossible.” “Don’t you see, then? the only interested witness, is as faithful as a dog--the other witness and the registrar have forgotten our existence--don’t you see that for all practical purposes the fact of our marriage lies buried in a book in Brighton that no one will ever look at? that, if we give ourselves out as unmarried to the end of our lives no one will be a bit the wiser? We will never see each other again, except accidentally in the streets. We will wipe each other clean out of our lives and start afresh. Isn’t that possible?” “Yes,” he replied, “it is perfectly feasible.” “I shall keep my money--spend it as I like--go where I like. You shall be free to do whatever you want--marry, if you choose--why shouldn’t you?” “It happens to be a felony,” said Hugh. “That would be your own look out. I should never take any steps to prosecute, you may be quite sure. Will you give me the same freedom?” “You must let me think before I answer,” he said. “Take your time,” she replied, and lay back again in her chair, covering her eyes with her hands. For the second time Hugh replenished the fire. From outside came still the confused soughing of the wind, and strange creakings filled the sleeping house. The wing that Minna occupied was far apart from the other bedrooms. Only Anna, who was sleeping close by in Minna’s dressing-room, was within earshot. At any time they could talk in moderate tones and be secure from discovery; on this blustering night scarcely any caution was necessary. Absorbed in this final settlement of their lives, neither of them noted the passing of the hours. After a long interval of deep consideration, Hugh agreed to the main of her proposal, and there followed a full and anxious debate upon points of detail. “What do you propose do to--to get through your life?” he asked at length. “I shall go abroad--to gay places. I shall procure a companion to suit me--money can do most things. I may first go with Anna to Smyrna and hunt up my mother’s people. They may prove interesting. I can’t live on any longer here.” “I thought not. It was to escape this that you were willing to live with me, had your father consented.” “Exactly.” Another long pause. Hugh viewed the new position in all its aspects. Humanly speaking, the secret of their marriage was exclusively their own. Anything like a reconciliation was out of the question. If he had spoiled her life by marrying her, he could make reparation by this irregular divorce. Yet he felt bound to give her old love one more chance. “Are you certain, Minna, that you care for me no longer--in no way?”