human
My lady, I am not speaking of the effect of that blow--I dare not to you, as deeply wronged as myself. You were with him in his dying moments, and surely he told you the truth then; surely he acknowledged the great wrong he had done you?
gpt
He did--he told me all; I know your story to be true.
human
Thank God! Oh, thank God! And he acknowledged his first marriage?
gpt
Yes; the wrong he did you was venial to that which he did me--I, who never was his wife, never for one poor moment had a right to his name.
human
My lady! my lady! And you will forgive me for coming here? I did not know, when I answered Mr. Knight's advertisement, where I was coming; and when I did, I could not resist the temptation of looking on his son. Oh, my lady! you will forgive me, and bear witness to the truth of my story.
gpt
I will; I always meant to before I died. And that young man--that Guy Legard--you know he is your son?
human
I knew it from the first. My lady, you will let me tell him at once, will you not? And Sir Rupert? Oh, my lady! he ought to know.
gpt
I promised his father on his death-bed to tell him long ago, to seek for his rightful heir--and see how I have kept my word. But I could not--I could not! It was not in human nature--not in such a nature as mine, wronged as I have been.
human
But now--oh, my dear lady! now you will?
gpt
Yes, now, on the verge of the grave, I may surely speak. I dare not die with my promise unkept. This very night, Lady Thetford cried, sitting up, flushed and excited,
human
THERE IS MANY A SLIP.