Lady Frances sank back in her seat white with horror and bewilderment, whilst Sir Richard stood as if turned to stone; and when at last he was able to speak, it was to order Kate to her room in accents of the sternest anger, bidding her not to dare to leave it until he brought her forth himself.
Kate fled away gladly enough, her mind rent in twain betwixt remorse at her own disobedience and deceit, triumph in having stopped Sir Robert's suit by so immovable an obstacle, and relief that the truth was out at last, even though her own dire disgrace was the result.

The secret had preyed terribly on her mind of late, and had been undermining her health and spirits.

Terrible as the anger of her parents might be, anything to her open nature seemed better than concealment; and she dashed up to her own room in a whirl of conflicting emotions, sinking down upon the floor when she reached it to try to get into order her chaotic thoughts.
Meantime husband and wife, left alone to their astonishment, stood gazing at each other in blank amaze.
"Husband," said Lady Frances at last, "surely such wedlock is not lawful ?" "I cannot tell," he answered gloomily; "belike it is not.

Yet a troth plight made in so solemn a fashion, and before so many witnesses, is no light thing; and the child may not be wedded to another whilst the smallest shadow of doubt remains.

Doubtless Culverhouse foresaw this, the bold knave, and persuaded the child into it.