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You haven't the two mixed, have you, sir?" Frazier turned impatiently to her. "I have seen the announcement of Hubert Varrick's marriage to Jessie Bain," he returned, his face darkening. "But the question is: how dare he attempt to marry another girl while he has a wife living. I do not know who you may be, madame," facing Rosamond impatiently.
Frazier shrugged his shoulders, turned and looked at the man from under his lowering brows a look which the minister did not relish. "But, then, Varrick has always believed in second marriages," remarked Frazier, flippantly. The minister started, giving an uncomfortable glance at the other. "I believe the girl to whom he is about to be united is Varrick's first love?"
"Great God!" he muttered, half dazed and crazed, "it is the confession of Hubert Varrick's wife that he did not do the deed of which she accused him. No one must ever see this!" he cried. "I will burn this confession, and no one will ever know of it." Cautiously he made his way to the glowing fire. What was that strange, sharp, rustling sound? He glanced fearfully over his shoulder.
Varrick's steel-gray eyes seemed to arrest the words on the girl's lips, and that strange, uncanny gaze sent a thrill creeping down to the very depths of Jessie Bain's soul. All in a flash, as Miss Duncan listened, she realized what was coming. "Let no one interrupt me unless I invite them to speak," said Mrs.
"Heaven bless you for your kindness!" he murmured. The touch of those cool, soft hands on Mrs. Varrick's burning brow had a most marvelous effect in soothing her. During the fortnight that followed she would have no one else by her bedside but Jessie; she would take medicine from no one else. She called for her incessantly while she was out of her sight.
Although search was instantly instituted for the missing bride-elect, not the slightest trace of her could be discovered. Was she Hubert Varrick's bride or not? There was great diversity of opinion about that. Many contended that she was not, because the words from the minister: "Now I pronounce you man and wife," had not yet been uttered.
And you said, Mr. Varrick, if they ever did that, to be sure and come straight to you and here I am!" Varrick's amazement knew no bounds. What should he do with this girl who was thrust so unceremoniously on his hands. "If it had not been for you and your kind words, I should have flung myself in the St. Lawrence," continued the girl, "for I was so desperate.
Half an hour, an hour, and at length a second hour dragged slowly by. Suddenly in the silence that had fallen upon the inmates of the morning-room they caught the distant sound of the detective's deep voice and the rustle of Mrs. Varrick's silk dress coming down the corridor. Mrs. Varrick and the detective advanced to the center of the room, then she stopped suddenly.
One instant more and a wild, hoarse cry in Varrick's voice echoed through the place. The room was empty! Where was Gerelda? There was no means of exit from that room save the door by which he had entered. Perhaps she had leaned from the window and fallen out.
Looking through the drawing-room window a few moments later, the minister espied the stranger leaning against the gate, looking eagerly toward the house, and he called Mrs. Varrick's attention to the fact at once. She touched the bell quickly, and to the servant who appeared, she gave hurried instructions concerning the man.
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