Part 31 (2/2)

”You have,” I said.

”Is there anything else you'd like to know?”

”Yes. Why did you marry Lady Helen?”

”Why, that was part of the bond.”

”The bond?” I said.

”The fact is, we understood each other. She had been very fond of me, poor woman, and she stuck to me through my disgrace, and when I came out of prison she was willing to do the best possible for me and for you.

Of course, you can understand that without marriage I could not accept her services, so--I married her. I don't go about with her a great deal, you will have observed that?”

”Yes, and I have wondered,” I said.

”But she has been good to you. She has taken you about.”

”Oh, yes. I hated going about with her.”

”She was anxious, and so was I, that you should marry well. She held out to me as the bait--your salvation.”

”What do you mean?”

”Exactly what I say. When I entered into that worst prison of all, it was for your sake.”

”Father--oh, father!”

”It is true, child. There, it's out. It is the worst prison of all--G.o.d help me! And now, at the end, you desert me!”

”No, I won't,” I said, flinging my arms round his neck; ”no, I never will! It doesn't matter what you did, I'll stick to you--I will, I will, I will!”

”My little girl, my own little girl! But she won't have you back except on her own terms; she only wants you in order to get you well married, to have the eclat and fuss and glory of a great marriage; that's her object. You have refused Hawtrey; I doubt if she'll forgive that.”

I was clinging close to him, I was holding his hand.

”Can't we both leave her?” I whispered. ”Can't we go away and be very poor together, and forget the world?”

”Child, there is your lover, Carbury.”

I gave a quick, sharp sigh.

”I can't think of him now,” I said.

”Oh, child, he proposed for you, knowing everything.”

”I won't marry him,” I said, ”I am going to stay with you in that worst prison.”

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