"A carriage had driven up; and we heard his step; but it was not
the step of a bridegroom, Judge Ostrander, nor was the gentleman
he left behind him at the kerb, the friend who was to stand up
with him. To Reuther, innocent of all deception, this occasioned
only surprise, but to me it meant the end of Reuther's marriage
and of my own hopes. I shrank from the ordeal and stood with my
back half turned when, dashed by his own emotions, he bounded into
our presence.
"One look my way and his question was answered before he put it.
Judge Ostrander, the name under which I had lived in Detroit was
not my real one. I had let him court and all but marry my
daughter, without warning him in any way of what this deception on
my part covered. But others--one other, I have reason now to
believe--had detected my identity under the altered circumstances
of my new life, and surprised him with the news at this late hour.
We are--Judge Ostrander, you know who we are. This is not the
first time you and I have seen each other face to face." And
lifting up a hand, trembling with emotion, she put aside her veil.
VIII
WITH HER VEIL LIFTED
"MRS.--"
"You recognise me?"
"Too well." The tone was deep with meaning but there was no
accusation in it; nor was there any note of relief. It was more as
if some hope deeply, and perhaps unconsciously, cherished had
suffered a sudden and complete extinction.
The change this made in him was too perceptible for her not to
observe it.
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