The Wife of Sir Isaac Harman

by H. G. Wells

She clung to her dignity though she felt suddenly weak within. “That letter,” she said, “was addressed to me.”

There was a gleam of derision in his eyes.

“Look at it!” he said, and flung it towards her.

“My private letter!”

“Look at it!” he repeated.

“What right have you to open my letter?”

“Friendship!” he said. “Harmless friendship! Look what your—friend says!”

“Whatever there was in my letter——”

“Oh!” cried Sir Isaac. “Don’t come that over me! Don’t you try it! Oooh! phew—” He struggled for breath for a time. “He’s so harmless. He’s so helpful. He——Read it, you——”

He hesitated and then hurled a strange word at her.