No; Mollie doesn't know. She is married; but to
whom she has no more idea than you have. Does it not sound incredible?"
"Sound? It is incredible--impossible--absurd!"
"Precisely. It is an accomplished fact, all the same."
"Blanche, for Heaven's sake, explain!" exclaimed the young man,
impatiently. "What the foul fiend do you mean? I never heard such a
cock-and-bull story in all my life!"
"Nor I. But it is true, nevertheless. Listen: On the night following the
dinner-party I did the meanest action of my life. I played eavesdropper.
I listened at Mollie's door. All for your sake, my dear Guy."
"Yes?" said Guy, with an incredulous smile.
"I listened," pursued Mrs. Blanche, "and I overheard the strangest
confession ever made, I believe--Mollie Dane relating the adventures of
that hidden fortnight, at midnight, to that singular creature, Miriam."
"Miriam! Who is she?"
"Oh! you remember--the woman who tried to stop my marriage. Mollie
quieted her on that occasion, and they had a private talk."
"Yes, yes! I remember. Go on. How did Miriam come to be with Mollie, and
who the mischief is Miriam?"
"Her aunt.
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