On the following morning Caldigate rode into the town, and as he put his horse up at the inn, he felt that the very ostler had heard the story.  As he walked along the street, it seemed to him that everyone he met knew all about it.  Robert Bolton would, of course, have heard it; but nevertheless he walked boldly into the attorney’s office.  His fault at the time was in being too bold in manner, in carrying himself somewhat too erect, in assuming too much confidence in his eye and mouth.  To act a part perfectly requires a consummate actor; and there are phases in life in which acting is absolutely demanded.  A man cannot always be at his ease, but he should never seem to be discomfited.  For petty troubles the amount of acting necessary is so common that habit has made it almost natural.  But when great sorrows come it is hard not to show them,—­and harder still not to seem to hide them.

When he entered the private room he found that the old man was there with his son.  He shook hands, of course, with both of them, and then he stood a moment silent to hear how they would address him.  But as they also were silent he was compelled to speak.  ’I hope you got home all right, sir, yesterday; and Mrs. Bolton.’

The old man did not answer, but he turned his face round to his son.  ’I hear that you had that man Crinkett out at Folking yesterday,’ said Robert.

‘He was there, certainly, to my sorrow.’

‘And another with him?’

‘Yes; and another with him, whom I had also known at Nobble.’

‘And they were brought in to breakfast?’

‘Yes.’

’And they afterwards declared that you had married a wife out there in the colony?’

‘That also is true.’

‘They have been with my father this morning.’

‘I am very, very sorry, sir,’ said Caldigate, turning to the old man, ‘that you should have been troubled in so disagreeable a business.’

‘Now, Caldigate, I will tell you what we propose.’  It was still the attorney who was speaking, for the old man had not as yet opened his mouth since his son-in-law had entered the room.  ’There can, I think, be no doubt that this woman intends to bring an accusation of bigamy against you.’

’She is threatening to do it.  I think it very improbable that she will be fool enough to make the attempt.’

’From what I have heard I feel sure that the attempt will be made.  Depositions, in fact, will be made before the magistrates some day this week.  Crinkett and the woman have been with the mayor this morning, and have been told the way in which they should proceed.’  Caldigate, when he heard this, felt that he was trembling, but he looked into the speaker’s face without allowing his eyes to turn to the right or left.  ’I am not going to say anything now about the case itself.  Indeed, as I know nothing, I can say nothing.  You must provide yourself with a lawyer.’

‘You will not act for me?’