Such being her determination, and so great her obstinacy, it was quite clear that they could not by soft words or persuasive letters bring her to their way of thinking.  She would not submit to their authority, but would claim that as a married woman she owed obedience only to her husband.  And it would certainly not be within their power to make her believe that she was not Caldigate’s wife.  They believed it.  They felt that they knew the facts.  To them any continuation of the alliance between their poor girl and the false traitor was abominable.  They would have hung the man without a moment’s thought of mercy had it been possible.  There was nothing they would not have done to rescue their Hester from his power.  But how was she to be rescued till the dilatory law should have claimed its victim?  ’Can’t she be made to come away by the police?’ asked the mother.

The barrister shook his head.  ‘Couldn’t the magistrates give an order?’ asked the father.  Mr. Bolton had been a magistrate himself,—­was one still indeed, although for some years he had not sat upon the bench,—­but he had no very clear idea of a magistrate’s power.  The barrister again shook his head.  ’You seemed to think that something of the kind could be done,’ he said, turning to Robert.  When he wanted advice he would always turn to Robert, especially in the presence of the barrister, intending to show that he thought the lower branch of the profession to be at any rate more accurate than the higher.

’I said something about an order from the Vice-Chancellor.  But I fear we should not succeed in getting it.’  The barrister again shook his head.

‘Do you mean to say that nothing can be done?’ exclaimed Mrs. Bolton, rising up from her seat; ‘that no steps can be taken?’

‘If she were once here, perhaps you could—­prevent her return,’ whispered the barrister.

‘Persuade her not to go back,’ suggested Mrs. Daniel.

’Well;—­that might come after a time.  But I think you would have the feeling of the community with you if you succeeded;—­well, not violence, you understand.’

‘No; not violence,’ said the father.

‘I could be violent with him,’ said Mrs. Bolton.

‘Just do not let her leave the house,’ continued the barrister.  ’Of course it would be disagreeable.’

‘I should not mind that,’ said Mrs. Bolton.  ’In doing my duty I could bear anything.  To separate her from him I could undergo any trouble.’

‘But he would have the power to fetch her?’ asked the father, doubtfully.

’No doubt;—­by law he would have such power.  But the magistrates would be very loath to assist him.  The feeling of the community, as I said, would be in your favour.  She would be cowed, and when once she was away from him he would probably feel averse to increase our enmity by taking strong measures for her recovery.’  Mrs. Bolton seemed to declare by her face that it would be quite impossible for him to increase her enmity.