“This is not so!” he said. “Come, my friend, let us leave exaggerated views of what might have been, and talk quietly of what _is_. In the first place—as you have heard—Monsieur L’Orient is dead.” “You are certain of it?” “I was present when he was picked up from the sea identified his body and assisted at his funeral.” “He is therefore not likely to reappear and claim Estelle.” “I should think not!” “But I had rather hear you say that you are _sure_ not! After the lesson we received from that gentleman on the danger of taking things for granted, it is better that we should proceed only upon certainties.” “Then I am _sure_ that Monsieur L’Orient will give us no more trouble.” “Very well then, _circumstances alter cases_! that fact of Monsieur L’Orient’s ascertained decease changes the whole face of affairs, and the whole policy of proceeding!” “I listen to hear further,” said Lord Montressor. “As Monsieur L’Orient can never reappear to claim his hapless victim, we must now go to work and establish the validity of his marriage with her.” “_What!_” “Certainly! To establish his marriage will not _now_ be as _once_ it would have been—to raise up an insurmountable obstacle to your own! since the same decision that will declare Estelle to have been Victoire’s wife—will prove her now to be his widow.” “Yet still I do not see the necessity of pushing this affair through the Spiritual Court, since the decision of that court can in no degree alter the position of the facts as they now stand,” said Lord Montressor, whose honest soul was concerned for realities rather than appearances. “It is necessary to redeem the name of Estelle from unmerited reproach—nay, more, it is necessary for your own honor.” “I cannot feel that my honor or hers rests, or ever could rest, upon the chances of a decision of the Court of Arches, or any other court upon earth.” “Hem! you would not wish it said that you had married Monsieur Victoire L’Orient’s ——” “SILENCE, SIR!” thundered Lord Montressor, growing livid with emotion. “—— Victim,—would you?” concluded Lord Dazzleright, heedless of the interruption. “Dazzleright! Dazzleright! you abuse my forbearance.” “You would not like to have that said? I know you would not. But then, again, you had not looked at it in that light? I thought not. Now, however, you perceive that it is necessary for Estelle’s sake, as well as for your own, that her name be redeemed from unmerited reproach by the establishment of the validity of the marriage! We must go to work as fast as we can and prove that, after which you may woo and wed the widow.” “Dazzleright! Dazzleright! you are usually styled the best lawyer in England!” “Mine honorable friend, the best lawyer in England is he who best knows how to use the legal tools,” replied Lord Dazzleright, laughing.