The name of Greenacre was
not so much as mentioned; the existence of a lady named Mrs. Clover
remained unknown to court and public.
On the following day Mr. Gammon had a private interview with Miss
Trefoyle. He was aware that this privilege had already been sought
by and granted to Mr. Greenacre, and as his one great object was to
avert shame and sorrow from his friends at Battersea Park, Gammon
acquitted himself with entire discretion; that is to say, he did not
allow Miss Trefoyle to suspect that there had been anything between
him and her brother except a sort of boon companionship. In behaving
thus he knew that he was acting as Mrs. Clover most earnestly
desired. Not many hours before he had discharged what he felt to be
his duty, had made known to Mrs. Clover the facts of her position,
and had heard the unforgettable accent of her voice as she entreated
him to keep this secret. That there might be no doubt as to the
truth of Greenacre's assertions he had accompanied that gentleman to
Somerset House, and had perused certain entries in the registers of
marriage and of death indicated to him by his friend's forefinger;
clearly then, if he and Greenacre kept silence, it would never
become known, even to Polperro's kinsfolk, that his lordship had
been guilty of bigamy.
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