"'I am to remain passive,' she resumed, while he charges me before
the proper court, with infidelity, and gains a divorce through
failure on my part to stand forth and defend myself. This, or a
public trial of the case, at which he pledges himself to have
witnesses who will prove me criminal, is my dreadful alternative. If
he gains a divorce quietly on the charge of infidelity, I am wronged
and disgraced; and if successful in a public trial, through perjured
witnesses, the wrong and disgrace will be more terrible. Oh, my
friend! pity and counsel me.'
"'There is one,' said I, 'better able to stand your friend in a
crisis like this than I am.'
"'Who?' She looked up anxiously.
"'Your father.'
"A shadow fell over her face, and she answered mournfully,
"'Even he is against me. How it is I cannot tell; but my husband
seems to have my father completely under his influence.'
"'Your mother?' I suggested.
"'Can only weep with me. I have no adviser, and my heart beats so
wildly all the time, that thought confuses itself whenever it makes
an effort to see the right direction.
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