I say that there has not been a positive marriage in this case.

There has been evidence in favor of possibly establishing a marriage--nothing more." The distinction here was far too fine to be appreciated by Geoffrey's mind.

He frowned heavily, in bewilderment and disgust.
"Not married!" he exclaimed, "when they said they were man and wife, before witnesses ?" "That is a common popular error," said Sir Patrick.

"As I have already told you, witnesses are not legally necessary to make a marriage in Scotland.

They are only valuable--as in this case--to help, at some future time, in proving a marriage that is in dispute." Geoffrey caught at the last words.
"The landlady and the waiter _might_ make it out to be a marriage, then ?" he said.
"Yes.