"We are very good friends," she answered.
"But you love him? Why not admit it?" I said.
"And if I do--if I do, it is useless--all useless," she murmured.
"Yes," I observed, "it is useless. You are already married."
"No!" she cried, holding up her tiny hand as though to stay my words.
"Do not let us talk of it. I cannot bear to think. The truth hangs
like a shadow over my life."
"Does Chetwode know?" I inquired. "Is he aware that you can never be
his?"
"He knows nothing. He loves me, and believes that one day we shall
many. Indeed, now that he has succeeded to the estate, he sees no
reason why our marriage should be delayed, and is pressing me for an
answer."
Her breast heaved and fell quickly beneath her starched blouse. I saw
how agitated she was, and how, with difficulty, she was restraining her
tears.
"What answer can you give him?"
"Ah!" she cried, "what answer, indeed. Was there ever woman before who
knew not her husband, or who suffered as I am suffering?"
"Your case is absolutely unique," I said. "Have you not endeavoured to
solve the problem? Surely, from the official record of the marriage, it
is possible to obtain your husband's name? You have a wedding-ring, I
suppose?" I said, my thoughts running back to that fateful moment when
I had placed the golden bond of matrimony upon her hand.
"Yes," she answered, and, placing her hand within her bodice, drew forth
the ring suspended by a narrow blue ribbon; "it is here."
I took it in my hand with a feeling of curiosity. How strange it was!
That was the very ring which I had placed upon her finger when in
desperation I had sold myself to the Tempter.
"Have you no idea whatever of the circumstances of your marriage? Do
you know nothing?"
"Absolutely nothing--save that I am actually married."
"The identity of the man who placed this ring upon your hand is an
enigma?"
"Yes. I found it upon my finger; that is all that I am aware of. I
changed my name, yet I am ignorant of what my new name really is."
A sound of wheels approaching up the drive greeted our ears, but I still
held the ring in the hollow of my hand.
"Shall I tell you the true name of your husband?" I said earnestly,
looking straight into those deep, clear eyes.
"What?" she cried, starting in quick surprise; "you know it? Surely,
that is impossible!"
"Yes," I said in a low voice; "I know it."
At that instant the ralli-car, which had evidently been to Corsham
Station, dashed past us towards the house, interrupting our conversation
and causing us both to raise our heads.
At the side of Barton, the coachman, there sat a stranger, who, as he
passed, turned his head aside to glance at us. Our eyes met. In an
instant I recognised him. It was none other than the man for whom I had
been in active search through all these weeks--the Tempter!