And I too have changed. I am no longer
without responsibilities. They have sobered me, have given me an
appreciation of property, stability, conservatism. Youth is enthusiastic,
theoretical. I have--"
"Ah, but I do trust you," she interrupted eagerly, fearful lest his
explanations would make it the more difficult for her to convince herself
of what she felt she must believe if life were to go on. "And you--I don't
want you to excite yourself. You must be quiet--must get well."
Each avoided meeting the other's eyes as she arranged the pillows for him
before leaving him alone to rest.
The longer she juggled with her discovery the less appalling it seemed. His
line of action fitted too closely to her own ambitions of social
distinction, social leadership. If he had been her lover, the shock would
have killed love and set up contempt in its stead. But he was not her
lover, had not been for years; and to find that her husband was doing a
husband's duty, was winning position and power for himself and therefore
for his wife--that was a disclosure with mitigating aspects at least.
Besides, might she not be in part mistaken? Surely any course so
satisfactory in its results could not be wholly wrong, might perhaps be the
right in an unexpected, unaccustomed form.
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