admired me, and he made me presents. No woman
can resist admiration and presents--especially presents, provided they
happen to be just the thing she wants. He was sharp enough to know
that--most men are. Naturally he wanted something in return--all men
do. And what do you think was the something? The merest trifle.
Nothing but the key of the vestry, and the key of the press inside it,
when my husband's back was turned. Of course he lied when I asked him
why he wished me to get him the keys in that private way. He might
have saved himself the trouble--I didn't believe him. But I liked my
presents, and I wanted more. So I got him the keys, without my
husband's knowledge, and I watched him, without his own knowledge.
Once, twice, four times I watched him, and the fourth time I found him
out.

I was never over-scrupulous where other people's affairs were
concerned, and I was not over-scrupulous about his adding one to the
marriages in the register on his own account.

Of course I knew it was wrong, but it did no harm to me, which was one
good reason for not making a fuss about it. And I had not got a gold
watch and chain, which was another, still better--and he had promised
me one from London only the day before, which was a third, best of all.
If I had known what the law considered the crime to be, and how the law
punished it, I should have taken proper care of myself, and have
exposed him then and there. But I knew nothing, and I longed for the
gold watch. All the conditions I insisted on were that he should take
me into his confidence and tell me everything. I was as curious about
his affairs then as you are about mine now. He granted my
conditions--why, you will see presently.

This, put in short, is what I heard from him. He did not willingly
tell me all that I tell you here. I drew some of it from him by
persuasion and some of it by questions. I was determined to have all
the truth, and I believe I got it.

He knew no more than any one else of what the state of things really
was between his father and mother till after his mother's death. Then
his father confessed it, and promised to do what he could for his son.
He died having done nothing--not having even made a will. The son (who
can blame him?) wisely provided for himself. He came to England at
once, and took possession of the property. There was no one to suspect
him, and no one to say him nay. His father and mother had always lived
as