For a time things went on this way, D'Alton visiting his mistress
frequently, and becoming passionately fond of the children, whom
Mrs. Rushton artfully used to influence him on all occasions. To do
her justice, it must be said that she never, either in thought or
action, was untrue to D'Alton, and that, whatever her past career
might have been, she lived at this time a quiet life, indeed, caring
only for her husband (as she called him) and her children. By the
time the little boy was two years old, both mother and children had
so ingratiated themselves in Mr. D'Alton's affections, that he
determined, come what might, to marry his mistress, and so make
their future offspring at least legitimate.

He was weary of his irregular mode of life, and, being comparatively
wealthy, longed for some place which he could call his home. His
wife could hardly mix in society, even could she obtain an _entree_
to that realm of prudery and hypocrisy, but he cared for no society
better than that of herself and his children, and his bachelor
friends, of whom he had not a few, would, even if they did know or
surmise the truth, exercise a more liberal spirit, particularly while
the wine in his cellar maintained its reputation. Accordingly, he
one day astonished and delighted Mrs. Rushton with the proposal that
he should marry her; and that they should live together openly. As
may be supposed, the lady unhesitatingly accepted the proposal, and
accordingly they were married, formally and legally in St. George's
Church, which, at that time was situated in St. Joseph street, on
the site now occupied by Messrs. Ligget & Hamilton's large dry goods
store. Mr. D'Alton took a house in a new portion of the city, and as
they lived very quietly, receiving no calls, except from business
friends of Mr. D'Alton, the neighbors did not trouble themselves
much about them, or inquire concerning their antecedents.