"I think the line between the aristocratic and the snobbish attitude of mind is almost too fine to be put into words. But they are often confused by the undiscriminating. Will you revoke that power of attorney on Monday?"
"Shouldn't I wait until Morty is home? … tell him first? It seems rather taking an advantage … and he will be very angry."
"That doesn't matter."
"What excuse shall I give him?"
"Any one of a dozen. You are bored and want to take care of your money … intend to learn something of business, as all women should, and will in time…. Ring in the feminist stuff … wife's economic independence … woman's new position in the world…. That will make Morty so raving angry that he will forget about the other. Will you do it?"
"Yes, I will. I believe you are right. So were the others … there must be something in it."
She told Gora of the advice of Tom Abbott and Judge Lawton. Gora nodded.
"They meant more than they said. And merely because they are men of the world, not because they like and trust Morty any the less."
Alexina did not hear her. She was staring hard at the floor…. A year ago … three months ago … she couldn't have done this thing. She had been still under the illusion that she loved her husband, that her marriage was a complete success. She would have sacrificed her last penny rather than hurt his feelings. Now she only cared that she didn't care…. She had admitted to herself that she did not love her husband but that was different from committing an overt act that proved it…. She felt something crumbling within her…. It was the last of the fairy edifice of her romance … of her first, her real, youth…. What was to take its place? The future smugly secure on six thousand a year and an inviolate social position … a good dull husband … not even the prospect of travel….