Poor Lucy Kendal was terribly grieved and shocked when the full account
of her step-father's iniquity was revealed to her. Archie tried to break
the news as delicately as possible, but no words could soften the sordid
story. Lucy, at first, could not believe it possible that a man, whom
she had known for so long, and to whom she was related, would behave
in such a base way. To convince her Hope was forced to let her read the
account in Mrs. Jasher's handwriting. When acquainted with the contents,
the poor girl's first desire was to have the matter hushed up, and she
implored her lover with tears to suppress the damning document.
"That is impossible," said Hope firmly; "and if you think again, my
dear, you will not repeat such a request. It is absolutely necessary
that this should be placed in the hands of the police, and that the
truth should become as widely known as possible. Unless the matter is
settled once and for all, someone else may be accused of this murder."
"But the disgrace," wept Lucy, hiding her face on her lover's shoulder.
He slipped his arm round her waist.
"My darling, the disgrace exists whether it be public or private. After
all, the Professor is no relation."
"No. But everyone knows that I am his step-daughter."
"Everyone," echoed Archie, with an assumed lightness. "My dear, everyone
in this instance only means the handful of people who live in this
out-of-the-way village. Your name will not appear in the papers. And
even if by chance it does, you will soon be changing it for mine. I
think the best thing that can be done is for you to come with me to
London next week and marry me. Then we can go to the south of France
for the rest of the winter, until you recover. When we return and set up
house in London--say in a year--the whole affair will be forgotten."
"But how can you bear to marry me, when you know that I come of such a
bad stock?" wept Lucy, a trifle more comforted.
"My dear, must I remind you again that you are no relation to Professor
Braddock; you have not a drop of his wicked blood in your veins. And
even if you had, I should still marry you. It is you I love, and you I
marry, so there is no more to be said. Come, darling, say that you will
become my wife next week."
"But the Professor?"
Archie smiled grimly. He found it difficult to forgive Braddock for the
disgrace he had brought on the girl.
"I don't think we'll ever be troubled again with the Professor," he
said, after a pause. "He has bolted into the unknown with that infernal
Kanaka."