"How can you prove that Olive's husband is an impostor?" asked Tui.
"By bringing forward a man called Jeremiah Trall as a witness."
"Clara's uncle!" said Olive, nodding. "I know. Mr. Mallow told me all about him. Oh! and I am married to this man."
"No, you are not, Mrs. Carson--or, rather, I should say, Miss Bellairs."
"Lord Aldean!" cried Mrs. Purcell, while Olive remained silent, too amazed for words, "I trust that you are not about to inform me that this profligate has contracted a previous matrimonial alliance."
"No, but he is not Angus Carson, and he therefore married Miss Bellairs under a false name. To do this wittingly nullifies a marriage."
"Are you certain of that?" asked Olive, pale and anxious.
"Certain. Mallow saw Dimbal about it, and, to make doubly sure, they took counsel's opinion on the subject. You are not married."
Tui threw her arms round her friend's neck.
"Oh, Olive," she said aloud, and then whispered slily, "I know why Mr. Mallow consulted the lawyer."
"The iniquity of the fellow is preposterous," said Mrs. Purcell, in her most stately tone; "nevertheless, if our dear Olive can be freed from her matrimonial bonds, I shall rejoice sincerely and without reserve."
"I should like to punish the wretch," cried Tui, vehemently.
"I'll punish him for you," murmured Jim in her ear. "Shall I kick him, or wring his neck, or throw him into the Arno?"
"Well, I think the last would be best; it might wash the sin out of him."
"Water was used for lustration by the Chaldeans," said Miss Slarge, her ruling passion strong within her. Then the genuine woman asserted herself. "Olive, my poor love, I trust indeed that this may be so, and that you will escape from the power of this bad man."
"I was never in his power," cried Olive, proudly; "he was never my husband. I hated him. I will throw the ring--no"--she stopped suddenly, and replaced the wedding-ring on her finger--"I must not cease to wear this until I am certain of my freedom. Lord Aldean," she asked suddenly, "you go over to Italy to-morrow?"
"Yes, by the nine o'clock express from Victoria."
"And you will see this--this man who calls himself Carson?"
"It is probable. I must put a stop to his game and Semberry's. I promised Mallow to do so."