ester's part--which I
tell you frankly I have done my utmost to prevent--I am in a position to
prove positively that Arnold Brinkworth was a single man when he married
you from my house in Kent."

Mr. Moy's experience forewarned him of what was coming. He pointed to
the letter in Sir Patrick's hand.

"Do you claim on a promise of marriage?" he asked.

Sir Patrick rejoined by putting a question on his side.

"Do you remember the famous decision at Doctors' Commons, which
established the marriage of Captain Dalrymple and Miss Gordon?"

Mr. Moy was answered. "I understand you, Sir Patrick," he said. After
a moment's pause, he addressed his next words to Anne. "And from the
bottom of my heart, madam, I respect _you._"

It was said with a fervent sincerity of tone which wrought the interest
of the other persons, who were still waiting for enlightenment, to the
highest pitch. Lady Lundie and Captain Newenden whispered to each other
anxiously. Arnold turned pale. Blanche burst into tears.

Sir Patrick turned once more to his niece.

"Some little time since," he said, "I had occasion to speak to you of
the scandalous uncertainty of the marriage laws of Scotland. But for
that uncertainty (entirely without parallel in any other civilized
country in Europe), Arnold Brinkworth would never have occupied the
position in which he stands here to-day--and these proceedings
would never have taken place. Bear that fact in mind. It is not only
answerable for the mischief that has been already done, but for the far
more serious evil which is still to come."

Mr. Moy took a note. Sir Patrick went on.

"Loose and reckless as the Scotch law is, there happens, however, to be
one case in which the action of it has been confirmed and settled by the
English Courts. A written promise of marriage exchanged between a man
and woman, in Scotland, marries that man and woman by Scotch law. An
English Court of Justice (sitting in judgment on the ease I have just
mentioned to Mr. Moy) has pronounced that law to be good--and the
decision has since been confirmed by the supreme authority of the House
of Lords. Where the persons therefore--living in Scotland at the
time--have promised each other marriage in writing, there is now no
longer any doubt they are certainly, and lawfully, Man and Wife." He
turned from his niece, and appealed to Mr. Moy. "Am I right?"

"Quite right, Sir Patrick, as to the facts. I own, however, that your
commentary on th