“How could I?  I was but half taught.  The Warrens would have had me teach their children French and German, and music on the harp and the piano.  I knew no language but my own, and no music except that of the piano, which the dear, gentle lady, your mother, taught me out of the kindness of her heart.  I was told that I must leave at the end of the term.  And my term was nearly out when Captain Stillwater became a daily visitor to the house, and I saw him every evening.  He was a tall, handsome man, with a dark complexion and black hair and beard.  And I always did admire that sort of a man.  Indeed, that was the reason why I always admired you.”

“Don’t attempt to flatter me.”

“I am not flattering anybody.  I am telling you why I liked Captain Stillwater.  And he was always so good to me!  I told him all my troubles.  And he sympathized with me!  And when I told him that I should be obliged to leave my situation at the end of the quarter, he bade me never mind.  And he asked me to be his wife.  I did consent to be his wife.  I was glad of the chance to get a husband, and a home.  So all was arranged.  He advised me not to tell the Warrens that we were to be married, however.  So at the end of my quarter I went away to a hotel, where Captain Stillwater came for me and took me away to the church where we were married.”

“You had no knowledge that Alfred Whyte was dead, and that you were free to wed!”

“He had been lost seven years and was as good as dead to me!  Besides, when a man is missing and has; not been heard of for seven years, his wife is free to marry again, is she not?”

“No.  She has good grounds for a divorce that is all!  To risk a second marriage without these legal formalities, would be dangerous!  Might be disastrous!  The first husband might turn up and make trouble!”

“I did not know that!  But, after all, as it turned out, it did not matter!” sighed Rose.

“Not in the least!” assented Mr. Fabian, amiably.

“After all, it was not my fault!  I married him in good faith; I did, indeed!”

“Did you tell him of your previous marriage?  That is what you have not told me yet!”

“N-n-no; I was afraid if I did he might break off with me.”

“Ah!”

“And I was in such extremity for the want of a home!”

“Had not my father and mother told you that if ever you should find yourself out of a situation, you should come to them?  Why did you not take them at their word?  They had always been very kind to you, and they would have given you a warm welcome and a happy home.  Now, why need you have rushed into a reckless marriage for a home?”

“Oh, Fabian!” she exclaimed, impatiently, “don’t pretend to talk like an idiot, for you are not one!  Don’t talk to me as if I were a wax doll or a wooden woman, for you know I am not one!”

“I am sure I do not know what you mean!”

“Well, then, I loved the man!  There, it is out!  I loved him more than I ever loved any one else in the whole world!  And I was afraid of losing him!”