"
"You mean, that the man who came to this house as a stranger is my wife's
brother?"
"I do."
"What duplicity! And this is the woman I trusted!"
"There was no voluntary duplicity on your wife's part. I know that she was
most anxious you should be told the truth."
"_You_ know! Yes, of course; _you_ are in my wife's confidence--an honour I
have never enjoyed."
"It was Austin who objected to make himself known to you."
"I scarcely wonder at that, considering his antecedents. The whole thing
has been very cleverly done, Mr. Fairfax, and I acknowledge myself
completely duped. I don't think there is any occasion for us to discuss the
subject farther. Nothing that you could say would alter my estimation of
the events of last night. I regret that I suffered myself to be betrayed
into any violence--that kind of thing is behind the times. We have wiser
remedies for our wrongs nowadays."
"You do not mean that you would degrade your wife in a law court!" cried
Mr. Fairfax. "Any legal investigation must infallibly establish her
innocence; but no woman's name can escape untainted from such an ordeal."
"No, I am not likely to do that. I have a son, Mr. Fairfax. As for my wife,
my plans are formed. It is not in the power of any one living to alter
them."
"Then it is useless for me to say more. On the honour of a gentleman, I
have told you nothing but the truth. Your wife is innocent.
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