When the trio met at the office the husband was pale, the wife dull and sullen.
"It's the last time I shall trouble you, Lucy," said Monckton.
"You have only to tell me how." (Quite incredulously.)
"You must accompany me to Derbyshire, or else meet me at Derby, whichever you please. Oh, don't be alarmed. I don't ask you to travel with me as man and wife."
"It doesn't much matter, I suppose," said Lucy, doggedly.
"Well, you are accommodating; I'll be considerate."
"No doubt you will," said Lucy; then turning her glorious eyes full upon him, "WHAT'S THE CRIME?"
"The crime!" said Monckton, looking all about the room to find it. "What crime?"
"The crime I'm wanted for; all your schemes are criminal, you know."
"Well, you're complimentary. It's not a crime this time; it's only a confession."
"The idea! No. You are to confess--in a distant part of England, what you can deny in London next day--that on a certain day you married a gentleman called Walter Clifford."
"I'll say that on the eleventh day of June, 1868, I married a gentleman who was called Walter Clifford."
This was Lucy's reply, and given very doggedly.
"Bravo! and will you stand to it if the real Walter Clifford says it is a lie?"
"Well, well, we shall have time to talk about that: when can you start?"
"You won't keep me there long after I have done this wicked thing?"
"No, no. I will send you home with flying colors, and you shall have your share of the plunder."
"I'd rather go into service again and work my fingers to the bone."
"Since you have such a contempt for money, perhaps you'll stand fifty pounds?"
"I have no money with me, but I'll ask Mr. Middleton to advance me some."
She opened the door, and asked one of the clerks if she could see the principal for a moment. He came to her directly. She then said to him, "He wants fifty pounds; could you let me have it for him?"
"Oh," said the lawyer, cheerfully, "I shall be happy to lend Mr. Monckton fifty or a hundred pounds upon his own note of hand."
They both stared at him a little; but a blank note of hand was immediately produced, drawn and signed at six months' date for £52 10s., and the lawyer gave Monckton his check for £50. Husband and wife then parted for a time. Monckton telegraphed to his lodgings to say that his sister would come down with him for country air, and would require good accommodation, but would pay liberally.