we had had full time to make the
necessary arrangements. I thanked him for his kindness, and then asked
something further. It was that, if he could by any means do so, he would
continue the works at New Wanley without any change, maintaining the
principles on which they had been begun. He said that was impossible,
and explained to me what his intentions were, and why he had formed
them. That was our conversation.'

Mutimer observed her with a smile which affected incredulity.

'Will you take your oath that that is true?' he asked.

'No. I have told you because I now see that the explanation was owing,
since you have been deceived. If you disbelieve me, it is no concern of
mine.'

She had taken up some sewing, and, having spoken, went on with it.
Mutimer kept his eyes fixed upon her. His suspicions never resisted a
direct word from Adela's lips, though other feelings might exasperate
him. What he had just heard he believed the more readily because it so
surprised him; it was one of those revelations of his wife's superiority
which abashed him without causing evil feeling. They always had the
result of restoring to him for a moment something of the reverence with
which he had approached her in the early days of their acquaintance.
Even now he could not escape the impression.

'What was Eldon doing about here to-day?' he asked after a pause.

'I have told you that I did not even know he had been near.'

'Perhaps not. Now, will you just tell me this: Have you written to
Eldon, or had any letter from him since our marriage?'

Her fingers would not continue their work. A deadening sensation of
disgust made her close her eyes as if to shut out the meaning of his
question. Her silence revived his distrust.

'You had rather not answer?' he said significantly.

'Cannot you see that it degrades me to answer such a question? What is
your opinion of me? Have I behaved so as to lead you to think that I am
an abandoned woman?'

After hesitating he muttered: 'You don't give a plain yes or no.'

'You must not expect it. If you think I use arts to deceive you--if you
have no faith whatever in my purity--it was your duty to let me go from
you when I would have done so. It is horrible for us to live together
from the moment that there is such a doubt on either side. It makes me
something lower than your servant--something that has no name!'

She shuddered. Had not that been true of her from the very morrow of
their marriage