Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1922 edition. Excerpt: ...invent a name like that. But he might tell us something about Telworthy's plans." "His plans?" "Yes. Perhaps he's going back to Australia at once. Perhaps he thinks I'm dead, too. Perhaps--oh, there are so many things I want to know." George looked at her in astonishment. What did all this matter? Then, realising that the shock must have upset her balance a little, he went over to her and spoke soothingly. "Yes, yes, dear, of course, that would be very interesting. Naturally, we would like to know these things. But you do see, dear, that it doesn't make any difference." It was now Olivia's turn to be astonished. "No difference?" "Well, obviously you're as much his wife if he is in Australia as you are if he is in England." She shook her head, slowly and with absolute conviction. "I am not his wife at all." "Olivia," he protested, almost peevishly, "surely you understand the position." "Jacob Telworthy may be alive, but I am not his wife. I ceased to be his wife when I became yours." "You never were my wife," he burst out. "That is the terrible part of it. Our union--you make me say it, Olivia--has been unhallowed by the Church, unhallowed even by the Law." He groaned at the thought of it. "Legally, we have been living in "No, it was too awful. "Living in "He couldn't get the terrible word out. Yet it was true. They had been living in sin for five years! She looked up at him, surprised, as if she hardly knew what he was talking about. Then back to her curtains again. "The point is," he went on, "how does the Law stand?" The Law? What had the Law got to do with right and wrong? "I imagine," said the unhappy George, "that Telworthy could get a divorce!" With himself as co-respondent! Oh, that such things could be happening to him! Surely he would...