"But this barrier, this obstacle--can it never be removed ?" "No," answered Lord Arleigh, "never!" "I assure you of my deepest sympathy," said the earl.

"It is a strange history." "Yes, and a sad fate," sighed Lord Arleigh.

"You cannot understand my story entirely.

Wanting a full explanation, you might fairly ask me why I married with this drawback.

I did not know of it, but my wife believed I did.