"I really don't know any name better than that for you and your
friends."

"The name of Dudleigh," said Leon, "is one of the proudest in the land."

[Illustration: SHE CONFRONTED HIM WITH A COLD, STONY GLARE.]

"I swear by all that's holy that you are really my wife. The marriage
was a valid one. No law can break it. The banns were published in the
village church. All the villagers heard them. Wiggins kept himself shut
up so that he knew nothing about it. The clergyman is the vicar of
Dalton--the Rev. Mr. Munn. It has been, published in the papers. In the
eye of the law you are no longer Miss Dalton. you are Mrs. Leon
Dudleigh. You are my wife!"

At these words, in spite of Edith's pride and courage, there came over
her a dark fear that all this might indeed be as he said. The mention
of the published banns disturbed her, and shook that proud and obstinate
conviction which she had thus far entertained that the scene in the
chapel was only a brutal practical joke. It might be far more. It might
not be a mockery after all. It might be good in the eye of the
law--that law whose injustice had been shown to her in the terrible
experience of her father; and if this were so, what then?

A pang of anguish shot through her heart as this terrific thought
occurred. But the pang passed away, and with it the terror passed also.
Once more she called to her aid that stubborn Dalton fortitude and
Dalton pride which had thus far so well sustained her.

"_Your_ wife!" she exclaimed, with a loathing and a scorn in her