“I have it, I have it; we must go abroad and stay there, too, and if that does not answer, why—­why we must try some more effectual expedient.  Lady Glenfallen, I have become involved in heavy embarrassments; a wife you know must share the fortunes of her husband, for better for worse, but I will waive my right if you prefer remaining here—­here at Cahergillagh; for I would not have you seen elsewhere without the state to which your rank entitled you; besides it would break your poor mother’s heart,” he added, with sneering gravity, “so make up your mind—­Cahergillagh or France, I will start if possible in a week, so determine between this and then.”

He left the room and in a few moments I saw him ride past the window, followed by a mounted servant; he had directed a domestic to inform me that he should not be back until the next day.  I was in very great doubt as to what course of conduct I should pursue, as to accompanying him in the continental tour so suddenly determined upon, I felt that it would be a hazard too great to encounter; for at Cahergillagh I had always the consciousness to sustain me, that if his temper at any time led him into violent or unwarrantable treatment of me, I had a remedy within reach, in the protection and support of my own family, from all useful and effective communication with whom, if once in France, I should be entirely debarred.  As to remaining at Cahergillagh in solitude, and for aught I knew, exposed to hidden dangers, it appeared to me scarcely less objectionable than the former proposition; and yet I feared that with one or other I must comply, unless I was prepared to come to an actual breach with Lord Glenfallen; full of these unpleasing doubts and perplexities, I retired to rest.  I was wakened, after having slept uneasily for some hours, by some person shaking me rudely by the shoulder; a small lamp burned in my room, and by its light, to my horror and amazement, I discovered that my visitant was the self-same blind, old lady who had so terrified me a few weeks before.  I started up in the bed, with a view to ring the bell, and alarm the domestics, but she instantly anticipated me by saying, “Do not be frightened, silly girl; if I had wished to harm you I could have done it while you were sleeping, I need not have wakened you; listen to me, now, attentively and fearlessly; for what I have to say, interests you to the full as much as it does me; tell me, here, in the presence of God, did Lord Glenfallen marry you, actually marry you?—­speak the truth, woman.”

“As surely as I live and speak,” I replied, “did Lord Glenfallen marry me in presence of more than a hundred witnesses.”

“Well,” continued she, “he should have told you then, before you married him, that he had a wife living, which wife I am; I feel you tremble—­tush! do not be frightened.  I do not mean to harm you—­mark me now—­you are not his wife.  When I make my story known you will be so, neither in the eye of God nor of man; you must leave this house upon to-morrow; let the world know that your husband has another wife living; go, you, into retirement, and leave him to justice, which will surely overtake him.  If you remain in this house after to-morrow you will reap the bitter fruits of your sin,” so saying, she quitted the room, leaving me very little disposed to sleep.