The Clerk of the Court made a reproving gesture.

"Knowing what I did, what I had seen, it was clear that I must approach one or other of the parties concerned.

Out of regard for the lady I could not approach her husband, and so betray her; out of regard for the husband I could not approach himself and destroy his peace; out of regard for all concerned I could not approach the lady's father, for then--" Masson interrupted with an oath.
"That old reprobate of Cadiz--well no, bagosh! "And so you whisked me into your office with the talk of urgent business and--" "Is not the business urgent, monsieur ?" "Not at all," was the sharp reply of the culprit.
"Monsieur, you shock me.

Do you consider that your conduct is not criminal?
I have here"-- he placed his hand on a book--"the Statutes of Victoria, and it lays down with wholesome severity the law concerning the theft of the affection of a wife, with the accompanying penalty, going as high as twenty thousand dollars." George Masson gasped.

Here was a new turn of affairs.