Half an hour after Mrs. Rymer had left my house, I wrote to her
daughter, plainly revealing the motive which led me to offer
marriage, solely in the future interest of Rothsay and herself.
"If you refuse," 1 said in conclusion, "you may depend on my
understanding you and feeling for you. But, if you consent--then
I have a favor to ask Never let us speak to one another of the
profanation that we have agreed to commit, for your faithful
lover's sake."

I had formed a high opinion of Susan--too high an opinion as it
seemed. Her reply surprised and disappointed me. In other words,
she gave her consent.

I stipulated that the marriage should be kept strictly secret,
for a certain period. In my own mind I decided that the interval
should be held to expire, either on the day of my death, or on
the day when Rothsay returned.

My next proceeding was to write in confidence to the priest whom
I have already mentioned, in an earlier part of these pages. He
has reasons of his own for not permitting me to disclose the
motive which induced him to celebrate my marriage privately in
the chapel at Lord Lepel's house. My uncle's desire that I should
try change of air, as offering a last chance of recovery, was
known to my medical attendant, and served as a sufficient reason
(although he protested against the risk) for my removal to the
country. I was carried to the station, and placed on a bed--slung
by ropes to the ceiling of a saloon carriage, so as to prevent me
from feeling the vibration when the train was in motion. Faithful
Mrs. Mozeen entreated to be allowed to accompany me. I was