"I would desire nothing better, but my faith forbids."
"You're sincere in that?"
"Absolutely."
"I mean about your faith, you know."
"Whatever else may be charged against me, sir, heresy or infidelity may not be charged."
"Have a cigar," said Stainton.
He produced his cigar-case, gave the Austrian a cigar, held a steady match while his guest secured a light, and then, with a cigar between his teeth, began to walk rapidly up and down the room, puffing quietly, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Look here," he said. "I am the kind of man that lives to look ahead and prepare for all contingencies. I do not always succeed, but I see no harm in trying. Well. When I first began to think about this thing, I said I would be prepared for the worst, if the worst came. I remembered your prejudices, and I had a fellow do some research work for me at the Bibliothèque Nationale, and yesterday I spent some time in the seminary library at Avignon. My dear fellow, you haven't got a leg to stand on."
"No leg?"
"Not in your objections to divorce and remarriage."