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"That's quite enough, madame. I warned you and--"

"Yes," Octavious admitted softly. "There was another reason."

"Octavious!" Gladys Tate screamed. The judge sat back, shocked at the outbursts, one from each side.

"Don't you think it's time to tell that reason, Monsieur Tate?" our attorney said with a senatorial voice.

Octavious nodded. He looked at Gladys again. "I'm sorry," he said. "I can't go on with this. I owe you so much, but what you're doing is not right, my dearest wife. I'm tired of hiding behind a lie and I can't take a mother from a child."

Gladys wailed. Necks strained to see her daughters comforting her.

"Will you please tell the court what that additional reason was," Monsieur Polk demanded.

"A long time ago, I succumbed to temptation and committed an adulterous act."

The audience took a collective deep breath. "And?"

"As a result, my son was born." Octavious raised his head and gazed at me. "My son and Ruby Dumas. . ."

"Monsieur?"

"They were half brother and half sister," he confessed.

Bedlam broke out. The judge's gavel was barely heard above the din. Gladys Tate fainted and Octavious buried his face in his hands.

"Your Honor," Monsieur Polk said, stepping forward. "I think it would be in the best interest of the court and all concerned if we could adjoin to your quarters to complete this hearing."

The judge considered and then nodded. "I will see opposing counsels in my chambers," he declared, and rose from his seat. Octavious had not moved from the witness chair. I got up quickly and crossed to him. When he raised his head, his cheeks were wet with tears.

"Thank you," I said.

"I'm sorry for all that I have done," he said.

"I know. I think now you will find peace inside yourself."

Beau came up and embraced me. Then he led me away, people stepping aside to create a path for us. I bit off all my fingernails while Beau and I waited outside Judge Barrow's chambers. My heart was pounding and my stomach felt like it was churning butter. The Tates' attorneys emerged first, their faces so stone-cold, they revealed nothing. They didn't even look our way. Finally Monsieur Polk came to us and told us the judge wanted to meet with us alone.

"What has he decided?" I asked frantically.

"I'm to ask you to go in only, madame. Please."

I clutched Beau's arm, my legs threatening to give out at any moment. If we were to leave without my daughter . . .

In his office without his judicial robes, Judge Barrow looked more like a nice old grandpere. He gestured for us to sit across from him on the settee and then he took off his reading glasses and leaned forward.

"This was, needless to say, the most unusual custody hearing in my experience. I think we have sorted out the truth now. I'm not here to assign blame at this time. Some of this was caused by events beyond your control, but there are all sorts of fraud, ethical and moral fraud, too, again you know how much of that is your doing."

"Yes," I said, my voice filled with remorse.

Judge Barrow stared a moment and nodded. "My instincts tell me your motives for your actions were good ones, motives of love, and the fact that you were willing to risk your reputations and your fortunes by telling the truth in court bodes well in your favor.

"But the state is asking me to judge whether or not you should have custody of this child and be in charge of her welfare and her moral education or whether or not it is better for her to be assigned to a state agency until a proper foster home is found."

"Your Honor," I began, ready to list a dozen promises. He put up his hand.

"I have made my decision, and nothing you say will change that," he said firmly. And then he smiled and added, "I will expect an invitation to a wedding."

I gasped with joy, but Judge Barrow became serious again.