Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 179: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

170 | THRICE WEDDED. «You are, indeed!” she said, sadly.- **‘The fatal words were but just spoken as you entered; the shriek you heard was one of despair, that she was too truly the wife of a man whom she detested and loathed.” | “I am grieved,” he replied, ‘“‘for I would have saved Miss Dupont the suffering of being compelled to go through with such a trial. But it will never be recognized as a legal mar- riage; she is as free as ever, and can choose for herself whom she will marry; and I have not much doubt what that choice will be,” he added, with a smile. _ Vivien’s fair face glowed with joy, as she replied: ‘“‘T am rejoiced more than I can express to hear you say this, for my heart has been filled with sorrow at the young lady’s fate, and I dared not tell Mr. Ellerton lest it should drive him to some act of desperation.” : ‘‘How is it that you are allowed to associate with one who is held so close a prisoner as my friend?” - “Tam not allowed. He by accident discovered a secret passage leading from his room into this.. Since then we have passed many pleasant hours in each other’s society. ‘‘He has told me his history, and the reason why he was enticed here. Though he never imagined that his lovely bride was to be brought here to be sacrificed.” The lovely eyes filled with tears of sympathy, while her cheeks were crimson, with the excitement which she had undergone that day. He gazed upon her with profound admiration, and every time the sweet tones fell upon his ear his heart quickened its pulsations, and he felt the blood leap madly in his veins. At last he said, respectfully: - Will you tell me your name, lady? Iam grateful for the consolation which I know your society must have been to my deeply tried friend.” Her lips quivered painfully, and the hot blood swept over cheek, neck, and brow, as she replied: My true name is Vivien Moulton, but : ‘“Ah!” he exclaimed, springing quickly to his feet. ‘‘And that vil—I beg your pardon, Miss Moulton.” He stopped in confusion, for his mind instantly reverted to the story which Ronald Edgerton had related to him that - morning, and he saw at once that he was reviling one who was intimately connected with the fair girl before him. 73 S €oO _ Yes, that wicked man is my father, and thersh mp nN *