“Of course there is.”

“If I flee from her, there’s a law to punish me?”

“Of course there is.”

“If I marry t’oother dear lass, there’s a law to punish me?”

“Of course there is.”

“If I was to live wi’ her an’ not marry her⁠—saying such a thing could be, which it never could or would, an’ her so good⁠—there’s a law to punish me, in every innocent child belonging to me?”

“Of course there is.”

“Now, a’ God’s name,” said Stephen Blackpool, “show me the law to help me!”