‘Indeed, he would not!’ cried Laura, almost indignantly. ‘You forget that he had made a vow against that.’ ‘My dear, a vow of that kind could have been evaded without being broken. My dear old friend would never have bequeathed his fortune to a young man capable of marrying a French opera dancer.’ ‘Why should we dwell upon that hateful marriage?’ said Laura. ‘If--if--my husband was not free to marry me at the time of our first marriage--in Hazlehurst Church--we must surrender the estate. That is only common honesty. We are both quite willing to do it. You and Mr. Sampson have only to take up your trusts for the hospital.’ ‘My dear, you talk as lightly of surrendering fourteen thousand a year as if it were nothing. You have no power to realize your loss. You have lived in this house ever since you can remember--mistress of all its comforts and luxuries. You have no idea what life is like on the outside of it.’ ‘I know that I could live with my husband happily in any house, so long as we had clear consciences.’ ‘My love, have you considered what a pittance your poor little income would be? Two hundred and sixty pounds a year for two people, at the present price of provisions; and one of the two an extravagant young man.’ ‘My husband is not extravagant. He has known poverty, and can live on very little. Besides, he has talents, and will earn money. He is not going to fold his hands, and bewail his loss of fortune.’ ‘My dearest Laura, I shudder at the thought of your facing life upon a pittance, you who have never known the want of money.’ ‘Dear Mr. Clare, you must think me very weak--cowardly, even--if you suppose that I can fear to face a little poverty with the husband I love. I can bear anything except his disgrace.’ ‘My poor child, God grant you may be spared that bitter trial. If your husband is innocent of all part in his first wife’s death, as you and I believe, let us hope that the world will never know him as the man who has been suspected of such an awful crime.’ ‘Your son knows,’ said Laura. ‘My son knows. Yes, Laura, but you cannot for a moment suppose that Edward would make any use of his knowledge against your interest. It was his regard for you that prompted him to the course he took last Sunday night.’ ‘Is it regard for me that makes him hate my husband? Forgive me for speaking plainly, dear Mr. Clare. You have been all goodness to me--always--ever since I can remember. My heart is full of affection for you and your kind wife; but I know that your son is my husband’s enemy, and I tremble at the thought of his power to do us harm.’