s an odd circumstance of the case that, though Madame de Treymes' avowal of duplicity was fresh in his ears, he did not f

arching on his part, tender, sad, undefinable on hers. As the re

xpectedness of the retort, she went on: "Is it possible you never suspected? It ha

rm. "But the divorce-how coul

ind before the courts." She leaned back, the sight of his perplexity checking her quick rush of words. "You didn't know," she began again, "that in that case, on t

ur French justice takes a gramma

and it-and it isn't nec

ppear!" he exc

have taken the trouble to learn our point of view. Yo

take care to pr

when we saw it was impossible that my brother and his wife should live together,

d him! If the result is to

action of the whole. What we really do is to give him back to

deprive him of any of tho

ed her hands with a sligh

ces and reserves can teach so much.

en!" Durham

-perhaps; but it would no

he sudden resolve of a man breaking

lrive's separation, the court made no difficulty about giving her the custody of her son; a

t the circumstances have, and that proves precisely what I have been trying to show you: that, in

de Malrive's actio

aks up the unit

am; and Madame de Treymes

mean: it introduces new elem

en!" said D

Yes-you may thank heaven. Why i

't what

ely into a better air. Why shouldn't she be content to begi

ly. "I don't know what yo

ff, dropping her eyes. "She may have an

om. She sat motionless, following his steps through her lowere

that I should tell

my poor friend, yo

used. "Then why

gs so differently-but can't you conceive that, after all that has

l no such lo

you," she murmured

ling slowly with his perplexity, which loom

t a stroke! I suppose," he added painfully, "I oug

se, is what we had planned that you shouldn't have. We meant to let you marry, and then-. Oh, there is no question about the result: we are certain of our case-our measures have been taken de loin." She broke off, as if

at her perplexedly,

we meant to consent to the divorce-it was decided the first day that I saw you." He was silent,

"She will never

fter you are married th

there is

clear to you? Haven't I shown you your course?" She paused, and then brought o

o do with her happiness

tly fixed on his face. "Are you afraid?"

rai

able to make i

and he returned

he chance, I be

could!" sh

f it," he said with

wor

t deceive her? Can't trick

after he had spoken; then she broke out despairingly: "Is happin

ow-it's an instinct. There do

ble wretch for not

not have helped me; and it would have

her as losing you! Aren't y

" he said, lifting his

y don't I help you? Why don't I use my in

ure that nothi

rce-we go against our religion in consenting to it-and not

re is nothing to be done," he said,

lose to him, with entreaty written on her small passionate face. "There is one t

ldered stare. "That you are

You're so credulous-the t

be too easy

ng had happened. I have been lying

your word of hon

what reason have I to do any to you? Why on earth should I betray my family for your benefit? Ah, don't let yoursel

should first have to find a

o. I wanted to punish you-and

nished me enoug

you who are punishing me now. I tell you I'm false t

on the ground. Then he took one of

od woman!" he

rew it away. "You're going

aight fr

erything-to ren

it amounts t

s the room and lay h

good man!" she