The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Law and the Lady, by Wilkie Collins

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Title: The Law and the Lady

Author: Wilkie Collins

Posting Date: October 15, 2008 [EBook #1622]
Release Date: February, 1999

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LAW AND THE LADY ***

Produced by John Hamm, and James Rusk

THE LAW AND THE LADY

by Wilkie Collins

NOTE:

ADDRESSED TO THE READER.

IN offering this book to you, I have no Preface to write. I have only
to request that you will bear in mind certain established truths, which
occasionally escape your memory when you are reading a work of fiction.
Be pleased, then, to remember (First): That the actions of human beings
are not invariably governed by the laws of pure reason. (Secondly):
That we are by no means always in the habit of bestowing our love on
the objects which are the most deserving of it, in the opinions of
our friends. (Thirdly and Lastly): That Characters which may not have
appeared, and Events which may not have taken place, within the limits
of our own individual experience, may nevertheless be perfectly natural
Characters and perfectly probable Events, for all that. Having said
these few words, I have said all that seems to be necessary at the
present time, in presenting my new Story to your notice.

W. C.

LONDON, February 1, 1875.

THE LAW AND THE LADY.

PART I. PARADISE LOST.

CHAPTER I. THE BRIDE'S MISTAKE.

"FOR after this manner in the old time the holy women also who trusted
in God adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands;
even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye are
as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement."

Concluding the Marriage Service of the Church of England in those
well-known words, my uncle Starkweather shut up his book, and looked at
me across the altar rails with a hearty expression of interest on his
broad, red face. At the same time my aunt, Mrs. Starkweather, standing
by my side, tapped me smartly on the shoulder, and said,

"Valeria, you are married!"

Where were my thoughts? What had become of my attention? I w