"Away!" cried Edith, with a sharp cry. "Who are you? Dudleigh!
Dudleigh! where are you? Will you not help me?"

"That's not very likely," said the same voice, in a mocking tone. "His
business is to help _me_."

"Oh, my God! what is the meaning of this?"

"Oh, it's simple enough. It means that you're my wife."

"_Your_ wife! Oh, Dudleigh: oh, my friend! what does all this
mean? Why do you not speak?"

But Dudleigh said nothing.

"I have no objections to explaining," said the voice. "You're actually
married to me. My name is not Mowbray. It's Leon Dudleigh, the
individual that you just plighted your troth to. My small friend here is
not _Leon_ Dudleigh, whatever other Dudleigh he may call himself.
He is the witness."

"It's false!" cried Edith. "Lieutenant Dudleigh would never betray me."

"Well, at any rate," said Leon, "I happen to be the happy man who alone
can claim you as his bride."

"Villain!" shrieked Edith, in utter horror. "Cursed villain! Let go my
hand. This is all mockery. Your wife!--I would die first."