girl who had come abroad with her brother, the only near
relation she had in the world. M. Linders had been introduced
to her, and she, in complete ignorance of the real character
of either him or her brother Charles, had, with all the
simplicity of eighteen, straightway fallen in love with the
handsome gentlemanlike man, who, on his side, made no secret
of the impression produced on him by the great loveliness of
the English girl. Moore, who was a thoroughly heartless scamp,
had not the least compunction in agreeing to a marriage
between his sister and this man, with whose character and mode
of life he was perfectly well acquainted; indeed, it suited
his views so well, that he did what lay in his power to
forward it. There were no difficulties in the way; the two
were almost alone in the world. He had been left her sole
guardian by their old father, who had died a twelve-month
before; and she, trusting her brother entirely, was glad to
leave everything in his hands. The marriage was accomplished
with all possible speed, and it was not till nearly two months
later that an accident revealed to Magdalen Linders, what
indeed in any case she must have discovered before long--what
manner of man this was she had got for her husband.

Then she did not pine away, nor sicken with despair, being of
a great courage, strong to bear evil and misfortune, and not
made of the stuff that gives way under cruel deception and
disappointment. She uttered only one reproach--

"You should have told me of all this, Adolphe," she said.

"You would not have married me," he answered gloomily.