And still her thoughts reverted to the great relief that she felt in the fact that he could no longer persecute Odalite. The proof of his former marriage in the substantial presence of his living wife forbade that.
What under heaven could have caused Angus Anglesea--certainly a gentleman by birth and position; certainly a man of cultivated mind, fastidious tastes and of refined manners, except when evil passions got the mastery and turned him, for the time, into a ruffian--what could have induced such a man to marry such a woman as she who claimed to be his wife?
In the midst of these speculations, the door opened silently, and Abel Force entered the room on tiptoes, and silently signaled his wife to come and speak to him.
"She is sound asleep--so sound that you need not fear to wake her," replied the lady.
"But, is that sleep well? She was very lethargic in the church, I noticed. Had I not better send for a physician?"
"No, no, certainly not. Her sleep is well. It is the effect of an opiate I gave her. The best treatment under the circumstances. Do not feel the least anxious as to present or future consequences of this day's events. Believe me, our child will never break her heart for the loss of that unmasked villain."
"And yet he was a friend of yours, Elfrida?"
"Never! I told you so from the beginning of your acquaintance with him. I explained that he was my brother's friend, and that they were brother officers in the Indian campaign. I distinctly assured you that he was not my friend."
"Ah, I remember! Then it was his manner that misled me. Well, he is gone. Let him go. I hope he will soon take his departure for his own country. Great Heaven! Suppose the criminal marriage had been consummated before the discovery of the living wife had been made! Elfrida, I should have killed that man! Oh, my dear, it is not only the murderers who are criminally capable of murder!"
"Do not talk so, Abel. The temptation was saved you."
"By a hair's breadth only. It was a narrow escape!"
"Oh, no! The woman, I hear, had been in the neighborhood for a week past, watching him, no doubt."
"Then, why in the name of decency did she not make herself and her claims known to us sooner, and here, at the house?"