'My wife wouldn't have me if I did go back to her.' After that I heard the door open, and went out to meet him on the landing.

He began swearing the moment he saw me, as if that was any good.

'Business first, if you please, sir,' says I, 'and any pleasure you like, in the way of swearing, afterward.' With that beginning, I mentioned our terms to him, and asked the pleasure of his company to Cumberland in return, he was uncommonly suspicious at first, but I promised to draw out a legal document (mere waste paper, of no earthly use except to pacify him), engaging to hold him harmless throughout the proceedings; and what with that, and telling him of the frightful danger his wife was in, I managed, at last, to carry my point." "But did the second wife make no objection to his going away with you ?" I inquired.
"Not she," said Mr.Dark.

"I stated the case to her just as it stood, and soon satisfied her that there was no danger of Mr.James Smith's first wife laying any claim to him.

After hearing that, she joined me in persuading him to do his duty, and said she pitied your mistress from the bottom of her heart.