'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?'