the best part of
the town, high up, looking forth over blue sea to the cliffs of Sark.
Widdowson congratulated himself on having taken this step; it was like
a revival of his honeymoon; never since their settling down at home had
Monica been so grateful, so affectionate. Why, his wife was what he had
thought her from the first, perfect in every wifely attribute. How
lovely she looked as she sat down to the breakfast-table, after
breathing sea air at the open windows, in her charming dress, her black
hair arranged in some new fashion just to please him! Or when she
walked with him about the quays, obviously admired by men who passed
them. Or when she seated herself in the open carriage for a drive which
would warm her cheeks and make her lips redder and sweeter.

'Edmund,' she said to him one evening, as they talked by the fireside,
'don't you think you take life rather too gravely?'

He laughed.

'Gravely? Don't I seem to enjoy myself?'

'Oh yes; just now. But--still in a rather serious way. One would think
you always had cares on your mind, and were struggling to get rid of
them.'

'I haven't a care in the world. I am the most blessed of mortals.'

'So you ought to think yourself. But when we get back again, how will
it be? You won't be angry with me? I really don't think I can live
again as we were doing.'

'Not live as--'

His brow darkened; he looked at her in astonishment.

'We ought to have more enjoyment,' she pursued courageously. 'Think of
the numbers of people who live a dull, monotonous life just because
they can't help it. How they would envy us, with so much money to
spend, free to do just what we like! Doesn't it seem a pity to sit
there day after day alone--'

'Don't, my darling!' he implored. 'Don't! That makes me think you don't
really love me.

'Nonsense! I want you to see what I mean. I am not one of the silly
people who care for nothing but amusement, but I do think we might
enjoy our lives more when we are in London. We shan't live for ever,
you know. Is it right to spend day after day sitting there in the
house--'

'But come, come; we have our occupations. Surely it ought to be a
pleasure to you to see that the house is kept in order. There are
duties--'

'Yes, I know. But these duties I could perform in an hour or two.'

'Not thoroughly.'

'Quite thoroughly enough.'

'In my Opinion, Monica, a woman ought never to be so happy as when she
is looking after her home.'

It was