In bidding me to go to blazes this gentleman has
relieved me from the embarrassment of having to invent a cause of
quarrel."
"Colonel Gerard," said the lady, earnestly, "you must give me
your word as a soldier and a gentleman that this matter goes no
farther, and also that you will say nothing to my brother about
what you have seen. Promise me!"
"If I must."
"I hold you to your word. Now drive with me to High Combe, and I
will explain as we go."
The first words of her explanation went into me like a
sabre-point.
"That gentleman," said she, "is my husband."
"Your husband!"
"You must have known that I was married." She seemed surprised
at my agitation.
"I did not know."
"This is Lord George Dacre. We have been married two years.
There is no need to tell you how he wronged me. I left him and
sought a refuge under my brother's roof. Up till to-day he has
left me there unmolested.
What I must above all things avoid is the chance of a duel
betwixt my husband and my brother. It is horrible to think of.
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