Now, if you have its secret, gained by no purposed act of mine, I will accept the aid and counsel." "You do not love," said Mrs.De Lisle--not in strong, emphatic utterance--not even calmly--but in a low, almost reluctant voice.
"I am capable of the deepest love," was answered.
"I know it." "What then ?" Mrs.Dexter spoke with some eagerness.
"You are a wife." "I am," with coldness.
"By your own consent ?" "It was extorted.

But no matter.

I accepted my present relation; and I mean to abide the contract.

Oh, my friend! you know not the pain I feel in thus speaking, even to you.

This is a subject over which I drew the veil of what I thought to be eternal silence.