’Certainly not.  I must act for my sister.  Now what I propose, and what her father proposes, is this,—­that she shall return to her home at Puritan Grange while this question is being decided.’

‘Certainly not,’ said the husband.

‘She must,’ said the old man, speaking for the first time.

‘We shall compel it,’ said the attorney.

‘Compel!  How will you compel it?  She is my wife.’

’That has to be proved.  Public opinion will compel it, if nothing else.  You cannot make a prisoner of her.’

’Oh, she shall go if she wishes it.  You shall have free access to her.  Bring her mother.  Bring your carriage.  She shall dispose of herself as she pleases.  God forbid that I should keep her, though she be my wife, against her will.’

’I am sure she will do as her friends shall advise her when she hears the story,’ said the attorney.

’She has heard the story.  She knows it all.  And I am sure that she will not stir a foot,’ said the husband.  ‘You know nothing about her.’  This he said turning to his wife’s half-brother; and then again he turned to the old man.  ’You, sir, no doubt, are well aware that she can be firm to her purpose.  Nothing but death could take her away from me.  If you were to carry her by force to Chesterton she would return to Folking on foot before the day was over.  She knows what it is to be a wife.  I am not a bit afraid of her leaving me.’  This he was able to say with a high spirit and an assured voice.

’It is quite out of the question that she should stay with you while this is going on.’

‘Of course she must come away,’ said the banker, not looking at the man whom he now hated as thoroughly as did his wife.

’Consult your own friends, and let her consult hers.  They will all tell you so.  Ask Mrs. Babington.  Ask your own father.’

‘I shall ask no one—­but her.’

’Think what her position will be!  All the world will at least doubt whether she be your wife or not.’

‘There is one person who will not doubt,—­and that is herself.’

’Very good.  If it be so, that will be a comfort to you, no doubt.  But, for her sake, while other people doubt, will it not be better that she should be with her father and mother?  Look at it all round.’

‘I think it would be better that she should be with me,’ replied Caldigate.

‘Even though your former marriage with that other woman were proved?’

’I will not presume that to be possible.  Though a jury should so decide, their decision would be wrong.  Such an error could not effect us.  I will not think of such a thing.’

’And you do not perceive that her troubles will be lighter in her father’s house than in yours?’

’Certainly not.  To be away from her own house would be such a trouble to her that she would not endure it unless restrained by force.’

’If you press her, she would go.  Cannot you see that it would be better for her name?’