Miss Arnott's Marriage
Copyright© 2024 by Richard Marsh
Chapter 38: Miss Arnott’s Marriage
The charge against Jim Baker was withdrawn at the earliest possible moment. Hugh Morice was released that night from the confinement which he had himself invited. When Mr Nunn asked what had made him accuse himself of a crime of which he was altogether innocent he laughed.
“Since you yourself were about to charge one innocent person, you should be the last person in the world to object to my charging another.”
The next day he went to Exham Park. There he saw its mistress. By degrees the whole tale was told. It took a long time in the telling. Part of it was told in the house, and then, as it still seemed unfinished, he went out with her upon her motor car. The rest of it was told upon the way.
“It seems,” she pointed out, “that, as the wretch married that poor woman before he ever saw me, I never was his wife at all. I don’t know if it’s better that way or worse.”
“Better.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“I am. Because, when you become my wife--”
She put the car on to the fourth speed. There was a long, straight, level road and not a soul in sight. They moved!
“You’ll get into trouble if you don’t look out.”