roused her.

She was married!

Where was her husband?

This thought came to her with a new horror. Deep silence had followed
the clergyman's departure. She in her weakness was not noticed.
Dudleigh, the loving, the devoted, had no love or devotion for her now.
Where was he? The silence was terrible.

But at last that silence was broken--fearfully.

"Come," said a voice which thrilled the inmost soul of Edith with horror
unspeakable: "I'm tired of humbugging. I'm going home. Come along, Mrs.
Dudleigh."

The horror that passed through Edith at the sound of this voice for a
moment seemed to paralyze her. She turned to where the voice sounded. It
was the man beside her who spoke--the bridegroom! He was not
Dudleigh--not Little Dudleigh! He was tall and large. It was the
witness. What frightful mockery was this? But the confusion of thought
that arose was rudely interrupted. A strong hand was laid upon hers,
and again that voice spoke:

"Come along, Mrs. Dudleigh!"

"What is--this?" gasped Edith.

"Why, you're married, that's all. You ought to know that by this time."