_] That marriage was _illegal_ because
your brother was already married, and Mr. Austin tried and did get the
promise of silence this afternoon about the Brooklyn service, to prevent
a charge of bigamy against your brother. The first marriage, which still
holds good, was with--Maggie, your present servant--
[_JINNY stands immovable. There is a silence._
AUSTIN. Geoffrey is not at your house?
RUTH. No, he left when I came on here. As I wrote you in the note I sent
upstairs, I was too stunned by what he told me to answer then, and I
wanted a word of advice with you. [_She turns to JINNY._] _I_ knew what
I thought was my _marriage_ to your brother must be kept secret, but I
could not learn why. This was my trouble, which, after your marriage, I
selfishly laid on your husband's shoulders, thinking he might help me!
[_No answer from JINNY, who stands as if struck dumb and into stone._]
Mr. Austin only learned the whole truth when we met that day in Rome.
_I_ did not learn till to-day that I was not honestly your brother's
wife. I had to be told, because divorce proceedings are to be started at
once to break--the other--marriage.
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