"There are two reasons.
One is that you have married another woman." "What difference does that make ?" cried Gordon.
Bernard made no attempt to answer this inquiry; he simply went on-- "The other is--the other is--" But here he paused.
"What is the other ?" Gordon asked.
"That I am engaged to marry Miss Vivian." And with this Bernard took his hand off Gordon's shoulder.
Gordon stood staring.
"To marry Miss Vivian ?" Now that Bernard had heard himself say it, audibly, distinctly, loudly, the spell of his apprehension seemed broken, and he went on bravely.
"We are to be married very shortly.

It has all come about within a few weeks.

It will seem to you very strange--perhaps you won't like it.

That 's why I have hesitated to tell you." Gordon turned pale; it was the first time Bernard had ever seen him do so; evidently he did not like it.

He stood staring and frowning.
"Why, I thought--I thought," he began at last--"I thought that you disliked her!" "I supposed so, too," said Bernard.