Man and Wife

'Kendrew is an old friend of mine,' said Mr. Vanborough, addressing himself to the lawyer. 'Whatever you have to say to me you may say before him. Will you have some wine?'

'No—thank you.'

'Have you brought any news?'

'Yes.'

'Have you got the written opinions of the two barristers?'

'No.'

'Why not?'

''Because nothing of the sort is necessary. If the facts of the case are correctly stated there is not the slightest doubt about the law.'

With that reply Mr. Delamayn took a written paper from his pocket, and spread it out on the table before him.

'What is that?' asked Mr. Vanborough.

'The case relating to your marriage.'

Mr. Kendrew started, and showed the first tokens of interest in the proceedings which had escaped him yet. Mr. Delamayn looked at him for a moment, and went on.

'The case,' he resumed, 'as originally stated by you, and taken down in writing by our head-clerk.'

Mr. Vanborough's temper began to show itself again.

'What have we got to do with that now?' he asked. 'You have made your inquiries to prove the correctness of my statement—haven't you?'

'Yes.'

'And you have found out that I am right?'

'I have found out that you are right—if the case is right. I wish to be sure that no mistake has occurred between you and the clerk. This is a very important matter. I am going to take the responsibility of giving an opinion which may be followed by serious consequences; and I mean to assure myself that the opinion is given on a sound basis, first. I have some questions to ask you. Don't be impatient, if you please. They won't take long.'

He referred to the manuscript, and put the first question.

'You were married at Inchmallock, in Ireland, Mr. Vanborough, thirteen years since?'

'Yes.'

'Your wife—then Miss Anne Silvester—was a Roman Catholic?'

'Yes.'

'Her father and mother were Roman Catholics?'

'They were.'

'Your father and mother were Protestants? and you were baptized and brought up in the Church of England?'

'All right!'

'Miss Anne Silvester felt, and expressed, a strong repugnance to marrying you, because you and she belonged to different religious communities?'

'She did.'

'You got over her objection by consenting to become a Roman Catholic, like herself?'

'It was the shortest way with her and it didn't matter to me.'

'You were formally received into the Roman Catholic Church?'

'I went through the whole ceremony.'

'Abroad or at home?'

'Abroad.'

'How long was it before the date of your marriage?'

'Six weeks before I was married.'

Referring perpetually to the paper in his hand, Mr. Delamayn was especially careful in comparing that last answer with the answer given to the head-clerk.

'Quite right,' he said, and went on with his questions.

'The priest who married you was one Ambrose Redman—a young man recently appointed to his clerical duties?'

'Yes.'

'Did he ask if you were both Roman Catholics?'

'Yes.'