" That the
desperate step of an immediate marriage would be a wise step Valentine
could not doubt, since it would at once annihilate Mr. Sheldon's chances,
and destroy his motive. But in contemplating this desperate step
Valentine had to consider the reputation as well as the safety of his
future wife. He was determined that there should be no opportunity for
scandal in the circumstances of his stolen marriage, no scope for future
mischief from the malignity of that baffled villain to whose schemes
their marriage would give the death-blow. He, who from his cradle had
been familiar with the darker side of life, knew how often the innocent
carry a lifelong burden, and perform a perpetual pennance for the sins or
the follies of others. And over his darling's life in the future, should
it please God that he might save her, he would have no shadow cast by
imprudence of his in the present.
"This sharp-witted, sharp-tongued Yorkshirewoman will be the woman of
women to protect her," he thought, as he seated himself in Mr. Sheldon's
study, whither the prim parlour-maid had ushered him.
"Mrs. Woolper have just gone upstairs to clean herself," she said; "which
we are a-having the dining-room and droring-room carpets up, while the
family are away. Would you please to wait?"
Valentine looked at his watch.
"I cannot wait very long," he said; "and I shall be obliged if you will
tell Mrs.
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