"But--but," Slotman said, "I--" He was thinking. He was trying to
reconcile what he had heard in his own office when he had spied on Hugh
Alston and Joan, when on that occasion he had heard Hugh offer marriage
to the girl as an act of atonement. How could he offer marriage if they
were already married? There was something wrong, some mistake!

"But what?" snapped her ladyship, who had taken an exceeding dislike to
the perspiring Mr. Slotman.

"Is your ladyship certain that they were married? I mean--" he fumbled
and stammered.

Lady Linden pointed to the door. "Good afternoon!" she said. "I don't
know what business it is of yours, and I don't care. All I know is that
if Hugh Alston is a fool, he is not a knave, so you have my permission
to retire."

Mr. Slotman retired, but it was not till some hours had passed that he
finally left the neighbourhood of Cornbridge. He had been making
discreet enquiries, and he found on every side that her ladyship's story
was corroborated.

For Lady Linden talked, and it was asking too much of any lady who was
fond of a chat to expect her to keep silent on a matter of such
interest. Lady Linden had discussed Hugh Alston's marriage with Mrs.
Pontifex, the Rector's wife, who in turn had discussed it with others.
So, little by little, the story had leaked out, and all Cornbridge knew
it, and Mr. Slotman found ample corroboration of Lady Linden's story.

Not till he was in the train did Mr. Slotman begin to gather together