"I can't tell much," replied Joan, hurriedly. "I'm an honest girl.
I'm free to--to marry him. I--I love him! ... Oh, I want to help him.
We--we are in trouble here. I daren't say how."

"Are you over eighteen?" "Yes, sir."

"Do your parents object to this young man?"

"I have no parents. And my uncle, with whom I lived before I was
brought to this awful place, he loves Jim. He always wanted me to
marry him."

"Take his hand, then."

Joan felt the strong clasp of Jim's fingers, and that was all which
seemed real at the moment. It seemed so dark and shadowy round these
two black forms in front of her window. She heard a mournful wail of
a lone wolf and it intensified the weird dream that bound her. She
heard her shaking, whispered voice repeating the preacher's words.
She caught a phrase of a low-murmured prayer. Then one dark form
moved silently away. She was alone with Jim.

"Dearest Joan!" he whispered. "It's over! It's done! ... Kiss me!"

She lifted her lips and Jim seemed to kiss her more sweetly, with
less violence.

"Oh, Joan, that you'd really have me! I can't believe it. ... Your
HUSBAND."