"
"My mother-in-law!" cried the young man, and tried in vain to conceal his
surprise and agitation.
"Ay; your mother-in-law, that shall never be. Mrs. Dodd."
"Mrs. Dodd here!" said Alfred, clasping his hands. Then he reflected, and
said coolly: "It is false; what should she come here for?"
"To see your father-in-law."
"My father-in-law? What, is he here, too?" said Alfred with an
incredulous sneer.
"Yes, the raving maniac that calls himself Thompson, and that you took to
from the first: he is your precious father-in-law--that shall never be."
Alfred was now utterly amazed, and bewildered. Mrs. Archbold eyed him in
silent scorn.
"Poor man," said he at last; and hung his head sorrowfully. "No wonder
then his voice went so to my heart. How strange it all is! and how will
it all end?"
"In your being a madman instead of an insolent fool," hissed the viper.
At this moment Beverley appeared at the end of the yard. Mrs. Archbold
whistled him to her like a dog. He came running zealously. "Who was that
called while I was out?" she inquired.
"A polite lady, madam: she said sir to me, and thanked me.
Pages:
943
944
945
946
947
948
949
950
951
952
953
954
955
956
957
958
959
960
961
962
963
964
965
966
967