t bother about you. I'd be cruel enough, I reckon, and
go off and leave you tied up, and get back to the States--but you are
you, and that's my bother. I did not know till now how I was tied to
you; yesterday at that asylum place and all last night I did not think
of you. My one thought was to get away. I came here to-day, driven by
want of money. I was so angry with the whole business, I determined to
go on being Rochester--then you came into my mind and I sent Church to
ask you to come and see me--much good it has done."

"I don't know," she said.

He looked at her quickly. Her glance fell.

Next moment he was beside her, kneeling and holding her hand.

For a moment, they said not one word. Then he spoke as though answering
questions.

"We can get married-- Oh, I don't mind going on being the Earl of
Rochester. There were times when I thought I'd go cracked--but now you
know the truth, I reckon I can go on pretending. People can have the
marriage ceremony performed twice--of course, it would have to be
private--I can't think this is true--I don't believe you can ever care
for me--I don't know, maybe you will--do you care for me for myself in
the least--I reckon I'm half mad, but say--when did you begin to like me
for myself--was it only just because you thought I was unselfish--was
it--"

"If I like you at all," she said, with a little catch in her voice,
"perhaps it was that--night--"

"What night?"

"The night you struck--"

"The Russian--but you thought I was _him_ then."

"Perhaps," said she, dreamily, "but, I thought it was unlike him--do you
understand?"

"I don't know. I understand nothing but that I have got you to care for
always, to worship, to lay myself down for you to trample on."

* * * * *

"Good-night," said she at last.

She was standing, preparing to go. "The family know the truth, at least
they are sure of the truth, but, as you say, they can do nothing.
Imagine their feelings when I tell them what we have agreed on! With me
on your side they are absolutely helpless."

* * * * *

There is, fortunately enough, no law preventing two married people being
re-married, privately; the good old lawyers of England considering, no
doubt, that a man having gone through the ceremony once would think it
enough.

* * * * *

All this that I have been telling you happene