Jeroloman weighed it. The weighing took but an instant. Dunwoodie was living in the past, but there was no use in beating about the bush and he said as much.
"You are thinking of the common law, sir."
Absently Dunwoodie creased his towel. "Now you mention it, I believe I am."
Jeroloman glanced at his watch. It was getting late. His residence was five miles away. He was to dress, dine early and take his wife to the theatre. He would have to hurry and he reached for his hat.
"The common law was abrogated long ago."
Dunwoodie rumpled the towel. "Why, so it was!"
Jeroloman took the hat and with a gloved finger rubbed at the brim. "Even otherwise, the term common-law wife is not legally recognised. The law looks with no favour on the connection indicated by it. The term is synonymous for a woman who, having lived illicitly with a man, seeks to assume the relationship of wife after his death and thereby share in the proceeds of his property."
From under beetling brows, Dunwoodie looked at him. "Thanks for the lecture, Jeroloman. My client has no such desire. In this office, an hour ago, she refused them."
Jeroloman stood up. "Very sensible of her, I'm sure." He twirled the hat. "Who is she?"
"I thought I told you. She is Mrs. Paliser."