face, and Junia could see that it was
registration of a marriage of New York State. She could have snatched
the paper away, but she meant to conquer Luzanne's savage spirit. "Well,
how do you intend to defeat your husband?"

"I mean to have the people asked from a platform if they've seen the
wife of the candidate, and then a copy of the certificate will be read
to all. What do you think will happen after that?"

"It will have to be done to-night or to-morrow night," remarked Junia.

"Because the election comes the day after to-morrow,--eh

"Because of that. And who will read the document?"

"Who but the man he's trying to defeat?--tell me that."

"You mean Barode Barouche?"

"Who else?"

"Has he agreed to do it?"

Luzanne nodded. "On the day--Carnac became a candidate."

"And if Carnac Grier denies it?"

"He won't deny it. He never has. He says he was drunk when the thing was
done--mais, oui."

"Is that all he says?"

"No. He says he didn't know it was a real marriage, and--" Luzanne then
related Carnac's defence, and added: "Do you think anyone would believe
him with the facts as they are? Remember I'm French and he's English,
and that marriage to a French girl is life and death; and this is a
French province!"

"And yet you are a Catholic and French, and were married by a Protestant
judge."

"That is my own affair, ma'm'selle."

"It is not the thing to say to French-Canadians here. What do you get
out of it all? If he is your husband, wouldn't it be better to have
him successful than your defeated victim. What will be yours if you
defeat--"

"Revenge--my rights--the law!" was the sharp rejoinder.

Junia smiled. "What is there in it all for you? If the man I married did
not love me, I'd use the law to be free. What's the good of trying to
destroy a husband who doesn't love you, who never loved you--never."

"You don't know that," retorted Luzanne sharply.

"Yes, I do. He never loved you. He never lived with you for a single
day. That's in the power of a doctor to prove. If you are virtuous,
then he has taken nothing; if you have given your all, and not to Carnac
Grier, what will his mind be about you? Is it money? He has no money
except what he earns. His father left him nothing--not a dollar. Why do
you hate him so? I've known him all my life, and I've never known him
hurt man or animal. When did he ever misuse you, or hurt you? Did he
ever treat you badly? How did you come to know him? Ans