“But why so impetuously?” she asked. “Why won’t you wait a little time?”
“There’s no object in waiting while Stella rakes up a few more facts.”
“If only your father were alive!” she exclaimed. “It would have shocked him so inexpressibly.”
“He felt so strongly the unwisdom of marriage, didn’t he?” Michael said, and wished he could have bitten his tongue out.
She had risen from her chair, and seemed to tower above him in tragical and heroic dignity of reproach:
“I could never have believed you would say such a thing to me.”
“I’m awfully sorry,” he murmured. “It was inexcusable.”
“Michael,” she pleaded, coming to him sorrowfully, “won’t you give up this marriage?”
He was touched by her manner so gently despairing after his sneer.