‘That is unjust. I yield where duty, good sense, or affection make it needful.’
‘Oho! Affection! That is like other people. Now I see some hope of you.’
‘Did you think I would have had him without it?’
‘Certainly, it is the only explanation. You will not find being wife to a scrub of an attache the same thing as being Miss Martindale.’
‘I am glad of it. My mind revolts at the hollowness of my present life.’
‘Well done!’ ejaculated Arthur.
‘I do,’ said Theodora, vehemently. ‘Ours has never been a home; it was all artificial, and we had separate worlds. You and I amalgamated best; but, oh! Arthur, you never cared for me as I did for you. The misery of my life has been want of affection. Any one who loved me could have guided me at will. You doubt! You don’t know what is in me! How I felt as if I would work night and day at my lessons, if they were ever to be heard by mamma! I remember once, after a day’s naughtiness, lying awake, sobbing, and saying, again and again, half aloud, “I would be good if they would love me!”’
‘No one would have thought such fancies were in a wild colt like you.’
‘I would not have had them guessed for worlds. Then came that one gleam of Helen. It was a new life; but it could not last. She went back, and I cannot say things in letters. She told me to talk to John, but he was of no use. He has always despised me.’
‘I don’t think you are right there.’