tina had got a truer insight into the
man she had married, the fact had confronted her that he was egoistic
to the last degree. His cold neutrality of manner veiled this to most
people, but to her keen and constant observation the length and
breadth of his egoism were at times almost sickening.

She was therefore not unprepared for what happened when she began her
visiting among the poor at Kingdon and her investigation into the
needs of her husband's tenants. She had gone to work openly about it,
and he had taken no notice; but one morning, when he was about to
leave for a few days' hunting in one of the neighboring counties, he
said to her, at the moment of departure:

"I want to tell you that I do not approve of the innovations which
you are beginning to make in the management of affairs on the estate.
The ladies of Kingdon Hall, heretofore, have left these matters to
their husbands, and I prefer that you do the same. I mention it now
so that I may see no signs of interference on my return."

It was not at all unusual for him to take this tone with her, and he
was following his usual custom in speaking to her in a moment of
haste, whenever he had anything unpleasant to say. He could, in this
way, end the conversation where he chose, and she saw that he had no
intention of lingering now. The cart was at the door, and he had on
his overcoat and even his hat, and stood drawing on and buttoning his
gloves, with an unlighted cigar between his teeth. His eyes were bent
upon his task, under frowning brows.

His cool and careless words, which her knowledge of him taught her
were the veneering for an inexorable resolution, gave her a shock of
disappointment. She did not often take a humble tone with him, but
there was humility as well as entreaty in her voice as she now said,

"You won't forbid my going to see the tenants, and making things a
little better for them, if I can, will you?"

"I forbid all interference," he answered, in a tone that made her
feel that he relished the exercise of his power. "You can safely
leave the affairs of my tenants to me. They have fared sufficiently
well in my hands so far."

At one time these words and tones would have provoked a sharp retort,
but Bettina had so far changed since the early months of her marriage
that the thoughts of her own wrongs and indignities were now less
insistent than the troubles of these poor people, which she had hoped
to be able to alleviate.

"Oh, indee