Yes, of course, Hugh could understand all that. They had known just the kind of man they were dealing with. They had hooked and landed their fish well. To a woman in her uncertain state, a husband with some prospects was better than her insecure position with a scoundrel like George Burton. Hugh filled a big pipe full up with a very strong and potent tobacco. He thought better when he was smoking, and this was a situation that demanded a good deal of thought. After a while he spoke. "Well, Jack, let us look facts in the face. What is done can't be undone. You have married this woman, and as long as she lives she is entitled to call herself Mrs Pomfret, and you will have to keep her. There is no getting over that." The unhappy Jack groaned. There was no getting over that. This attractive, charming young woman, sister or confederate, or whatever relationship she stood in to this wretched criminal, was his legal wife, and, if she chose, she could make things very uncomfortable for him. "Well, old man, you have made a hash of your life at the very beginning of it. As I say, that can't be undone. You've got to make the best of it. I suppose you have entered into some financial arrangements with her." "Seven hundred a year till I come into my aunt's money. After that, of course, our marriage was to be acknowledged, and we would live together." "I see," said Hugh, assuming a cheerfulness he did not quite feel. "Well, I should not say she would try for more than her seven hundred a year at present. When your aunt dies she will of course fight for a bit more. I take it, after to-night's work, you will never want to live with her, cajoling and attractive as she is." Pomfret shuddered. "After what that fellow said, my love for her died. But, by Heaven, Hugh, I did love her while I believed in her." "Of course, of course. Have you signed any document about that seven hundred, by the way?" "Not yet. My solicitor is sending me the document to-day, it will reach me to-morrow morning." "It will make it a little easier to deal with her, then. Are you going to leave yourself in my hands? I don't think she will be very full of fight for the next few days." "Certainly I will, Hugh. Do your best for me. I never want to see her again, of that you may be sure." Murchison reflected deeply before he spoke again. "I doubt if she will trouble you very much. It won't be very difficult to compromise with her, she has too much to hide. And now for yourself." "Yes," groaned the unhappy Pomfret, in a hollow voice. "And now for myself. What do you suggest?" "There's only one thing to do, and that is to put the past behind you. As long as this woman lives, you can never marry. But many men go through life and remain bachelors, and are not altogether unhappy. You must make up your mind to be one of the bachelors, Jack."