Having settled these little troubles Stanbury returned to his friend, and in the evening they dined together at a tavern.
"And now, Trevelyan, let me know fairly what it is that you wish," said Stanbury.
"I wish to have my wife back again." "Simply that.

If she will agree to come back, you will make no difficulty." "No; not quite simply that.

I shall desire that she shall be guided by my wishes as to any intimacies she may form." "That is all very well; but is she to give any undertaking?
Do you intend to exact any promise from her?
It is my opinion that she will be willing enough to come back, and that when she is with you there will be no further cause for quarrelling.

But I don't think she will bind herself by any exacted promise; and certainly not through a third person." "Then say nothing about it.

Let her write a letter to me proposing to come,--and she shall come." "Very well.