After the Storm

Irene did not comprehend her husband's state of mind. She felt

painfully the change in his manner, but failed in reaching the true

cause. Sometimes she attributed his coldness to resentment;

sometimes to defect of love; and sometimes to a settled

determination on his part to inflict punishment. Sometimes she spent

hours alone, weeping over these sad ruins of her peace, and

sometimes, in a spirit of revolt, she laid down for herself a line

of conduct intended to react against her husband. But something in

his calm, kind, self-reliant manner, when she looked into his face,

broke down her purpose. She was afraid of throwing herself against a

rock which, while standing immovable, might bruise her tender limbs

or extinguish life in the strong concussion.