‘Is that why you married a man with flaxen hair?’
‘Well, I couldn’t expect to find every quality in my husband, could I? It would not be reasonable. I assure you, dear, that taking your tout ensemble, I like you far the best of all. You may not be the handsomest, and you may not be the cleverest—one cannot expect one’s absolute ideal,—but I love you far, far the best of any. I do hope I haven’t hurt you by anything I have said.’
‘I am sorry I am not your ideal, Maude. It would be absurd to suppose myself anybody’s ideal, but I hoped always that the eyes of love transfigured an object and made it seem all right. My hair is past praying for, but if you can point out anything that I can mend—’
‘No, no, I want you just as you are. If I hadn’t liked you best, I shouldn’t have married you, Frank, should I?’
‘But those other experiences?’
‘Oh, we had better drop them. What good can it possibly do to discuss my old experiences? It will only annoy you.’
‘Not at all. I honour you for your frankness in speaking out, although I acknowledge that it is a little unexpected. Go on.’
‘I forget where I was.’
‘You had just remarked that before your marriage you had love-affairs with a number of men.’
‘How horrid it sounds, doesn’t it?’