"There is something else I have to hand over to you," said Flamma, as I stepped nearer; and, drawing from the pocket of her dress an envelope, she handed me an official-looking document, fastened with tri-coloured tape, with a large official seal upon it. It was a power of attorney from Flamma Maria, Countess Vernöczy of Vranicsa, to her husband Dr. Cornelius Dumany of Dumanyfalva, giving him full authority over her dowry, consisting of real estate, bonds, etc., to the amount of one million of florins, and authorising him to sell or retain or use the aforesaid securities according to his own need or pleasure, and without previous consultation with any person, his wife included.
"Dearest," I said, "this is very generous of you; but there is no need of any such document to give me proof of your confidence."
"To give you no cause to accuse me of meanness. You shall not say that I left you on your wedding-day without a shilling in your pocket, as your friend was left on the Isle of Wight."
I gazed at her, at the pale face that was even paler than usual, and cold and inanimate as a block of ice.
"Flamma!" I cried, "what does it mean? How am I to take this?"
"As a confession. That other man has made me--his--wife."
She stood there, pale, cold, statue-like, and her voice sounded like that of an automaton. I felt like one stupefied, like one who had meant to enter the gates of paradise and found himself in a sea of fire and brimstone.
"Because he is married already. His wife lives in Egypt, and he cannot get a legal divorce from her."
"And why have you married me? For we are married. The ceremony of this afternoon was real, not a comedy like that other?"
"No; we are married. When that--misfortune--happened to me Siegfried promised to marry me to some distinguished gentleman who might give me a good name and an acceptable position, so that the marriage should need no explanation."
"Was that the reason for his instantaneous proffer of friendship?"
"And for that reason I was nominated for Parliament?"
"Yes, but that also was the cause of your first failure. It was Siegfried who bribed the witnesses against you. He wanted to crush your pride, draw you closer to him, bring you into close connection with and dependence upon our homes and us."