Clover? Ought she not to be told at once? Had he any right
to keep to himself such a discovery as this? He knew, by police
court precedent, that a false name in marriage did not invalidate
the contract. Beyond shadow of doubt Mrs. Clover was Lady Polperro.
And Minnie--why, suppose Minnie had favoured his suit, he would have
been son-in-law of a peer! As it was, whom might not the girl marry!
She would pass from the neighbourhood of Battersea Park Road to a
house in Mayfair or Belgravia; from Doulton's and the china shop to
unimaginable heights of social dignity. And who more fit for the new
sphere? Mr. Gammon sighed, but in a moment remembered Polly and
snapped his fingers.
A little before five o'clock he was hovering within sight of the
coffee tavern, which already threw radiance into the murky and muddy
street. In a minute or two he saw Polly and exchanged a quick word
with her.
"Up you go! You'll find all ready. If he comes I shall see him, and
I'll look in when you've had a little talk."
Polly disappeared, and Mr. Gammon again hovered.
Pages:
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223