But Marian was not
such a woman.
She had come into Howard's life at just the time and in just the way to
arouse his latent passion for power and to give it a sufficient initial
impetus. It was love for her that set him to lifting himself from among
those who work through themselves alone to the potent few who work chiefly
by directing the labour of others.
Once in this class, once having tasted the joy of power, Howard was lost to
her. She was unable to restrain or direct, or even clearly to understand.
She became an incident in his life. As riches came with power, they pushed
him to one side in her life. Living in separate parts of a large house,
leading separate lives, rarely meeting except when others were
present--following the typical life of New Yorkers of fortune and
fashion--they gradually grew to know little and see little and think little
each of the other.
There was no abruptness in the transition. Every day had contributed its
little toward widening the gap. There was no coolness, no consciousness of
separation; simply the slow formation of the habit of complete independence
each of the other.
His ambitions absorbed his thought and his time. To them he found her very
useful. The social side--forming and keeping up friendly relations with the
families whose heads were men of influence--was a vital part of his plan.
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