Elfride, I am past love, you know, and I honestly confess that I married her for your sake.

Why a woman of her standing should have thrown herself away upon me, God knows.

But I suppose her age and plainness were too pronounced for a town man.

With your good looks, if you now play your cards well, you may marry anybody.

Of course, a little contrivance will be necessary; but there's nothing to stand between you and a husband with a title, that I can see.