They say--" "What ?" he asked sharply.
"A rumour--I heard it--others speak of it--perhaps to be disagreeable to me--" "What have you heard ?" "That--that you might marry again--" "Well, you can nail that lie," he said hotly.
"Then it is not true ?" "True! Do you think I'd take that chance again even if I felt free to do it ?" "Free ?" she faltered; "but you _are_ free, Phil!" "I am not," he said fiercely; "no man is free to marry twice under such conditions.

It's a jest at decency and a slap in the face of civilisation! I'm done for--finished; I had my chance and I failed.

Do you think I consider myself free to try again with the chance of further bespattering my family ?" "Wait until you really love," she said tremulously.
He laughed incredulously.
"I am glad that it is not true.

.

.