The Clever Woman of the Family

"Oh, Alick, I am sorry I began! It only gives you pain."

"Go on--"

She did go on till she had told all, and he uttered no word of comment.

She longed to ask whether he disapproved of her having permitted the

interview; but as he did not again recur to the topic, it was making a

real and legitimate use of strength of mind to abstain from tearing him

on the matter. Yet when she recollected what worldly honour would once

have exacted of a military man, and the conflicts between religion and

public opinion, she felt thankful indeed that half a century lay between

her and that terrible code, and even as it was, perceiving the strong

hold that just resentment had taken on her husband's silently determined

nature, she could not think of the neighbourhood of the Carleton family

without dread.