Читать книгу Joe Leslie's Wife; or, a Skeleton in the Closet онлайн

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A suspicion flashed into his mind.

He touched the arm of the lady in black. “Lillian—Mrs. Leslie,” he said in a low voice. A cry came from under the veil.

“Who speaks to me?” gasped the lady.

“It is I—Eric Darrell. This is no place for a lady, especially at such an hour. You may be insulted here.”

“But he is here—Joe, my husband, and where he is his wife should not be afraid to go,” she said with some bitterness.

“Theoretically true, madam, but there are lots of places in this wicked city where men daily pass and ladies dare not go. You promised to leave this to me and you must keep your word. Take my arm and let me see you to the elevated station.”

She might have rebelled, but there was a touch of gentle but firm authority in his tone, and being a woman she yielded, knowing he was right.

On the way to the elevated station she was silent, but finally, upon reaching the steps, she turned to her companion.

“Mr. Darrell, does my husband know that I have sought your advice?”

So intensely interested was she in the answer, that she even held her breath.