Part 54 (1/2)
”I will gladly revise my opinion if you will give me occasion.”
”I told you you were not so sharp as you thought. If you were, and if there is what I suppose there is behind those words of yours just now, you would see that I might be as anxious as yourself for Gareth--if only I could see the way.”
”I should be glad to think it--for her sake.”
”You can. It's true. And if you could see a way I'd forgive you all the rest.”
”I have no more to say--to you,” I said, rising.
”You are going to tell him?”
”Yes--now. There is no good in delay.”
He got up, frowning, his face anxious but resolute. ”No; this is my affair. You have done enough mischief. Send him to me. I'll tell him.”
”I will not have violence in my house.”
He came close to me and stared into my eyes. ”Do you know what Colonel Katona can do in this?”
”I know he has sworn to have the life of the man who has wronged his child.”
He waved this aside with a shake of the head and a toss of the hand.
”Is that all you know?”
”Yes--but it is enough.”
”I will tell him myself. Not alone if you say so. Karl can hear it too.”
”You had better go to them. You will of course tell him everything.
If you do not, I shall.”
”You don't understand. This is beyond you now. I shall tell him one thing which you have been too prejudiced and blind to see--that Gareth is already my wife, legally--as you like to insist.”
”I don't believe you--nor will he.”
”Believe it or not as you please--it is true; if a priest of the Holy Church can make man and woman husband and wife.”
He swung away with that, and I watched him cross the hall with quick, firm steps, and enter the room where Colonel Katona and Karl were waiting.
I was glad to be spared the ordeal of that interview, and was still standing thoughtfully at the closed door on the other side of which that scene of the drama was being enacted, when a carriage drove up rapidly.
I knew it was General von Erlanger and the Duke, and I told the servant to show them into one of the larger rooms in the front of the house.
CHAPTER XXVII
”THIS IS GARETH”
I was in the act of going to the Duke and my fingers were all but on the handle of the door, when I recalled the idea which had flashed upon me an hour before when with Gareth, and instantly I resolved to act upon it.