But
I shirked the duty--I thought something might happen before my return to
give me the fortune, and then I should be free to choose for myself; so
I led Miss Dinsmore to believe that on my return I would marry Miss
Barton. I wanted the fortune--I loved money and the pleasure it brought,
but I did not want Miss Barton for a wife. She was proud and haughty--a
girl bound up in the world and fashion, and I did love sweet and amiable
Mona Forester.
"Now my third sin: I was selfish. I could not bear the thought of leaving
my love behind, and so I persuaded her to a secret marriage, and to go to
Europe with me. I never should have done this; a man is a coward and
knave who will not boldly acknowledge his wife before the world. I hated
myself for my weakness, yet had not strength of purpose to do what
was right. We sailed under the name of Mr. and Mrs. Richmond Montague,
and Mona did not know that I had any other; but I took care that the
marriage certificate was made out with my full name, so that the ceremony
should be perfectly legal.
"We were very happy, for I idolized my young wife, and our life for six
months was one of earth's sweetest poems. We traveled a great deal during
the summer, and then settled in Paris for the winter.
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