How could he have expected that the first fair promise of happiness held out to him would remain untarnished?
She had said that she was free; and legally she was free, no doubt.

Moreover, from her tone and manner he felt himself justified in concluding that she would be willing to run the risk of a union with him, in the improbability of her husband's existence.

Even if that husband lived, his return was not a likely event, to judge from his character.

A man who could spend her money on his own personal adventures would not be anxious to disturb her poverty after such a lapse of time.
Well, the prospect was not so unclouded as it had seemed.

But could he, even now, give up Christine?
.