But I do not wish you to remain under any misapprehension as to the true state of affairs.

Lady Hermione Grandison meant to marry a French music-master named Jean de Courtois.
I thought, thought honestly but mistakenly, that the man was dead, and, as it was of vital importance that her ladyship should get married to-night, I offered my services as Jean de Courtois' substitute, and they were accepted." "Am I to take that statement as literally true ?" "Absolutely." "You were not acquainted with the lady earlier ?" "No." "Never seen or heard of her ?" "No." "How did you come to engage in this--this freak marriage, then ?" Curtis measured Steingall with a contemplative eye.
"You are called on to assimilate a novel idea, and, in consequence, are choosing your words badly," he said.

"It was not a freak marriage.
Although I may have broken the laws of the State of New York by using a license issued to some other person, Lady Hermione and I are legally husband and wife, and no power on earth can dissolve the union without the expressed consent of one or both of us." "Do you mean me to accept the bald theory that you first learnt the lady's name and address from a document discovered in another man's overcoat, that you went to her house, told her the man was dead, and suggested that you should become the bridegroom in his stead ?" "As an adjective, 'bald' is--well, bald.

But you've got the affair sized up accurately otherwise." "Oh, the shameless hussy!" broke in Mrs.Horace vehemently.
Steingall turned on her with a certain heat of manner.
"Do not interrupt, madam, I beg," he exclaimed.
"Better reserve judgment, aunt, until you have met my wife," said Curtis.

He spoke gently enough.