"From your point of view; but—"
"Of course we were afraid of the ceremony, and a good many others would have been in our places, with such strong reasons for fears. But experience has proved how we misjudged ourselves, and overrated our infirmities; and if you are beginning to respect rites and ceremonies, as you seem to be, I wonder you don't say it shall be carried out instantly? You certainly are my wife, Sue, in all but law. What do you mean by what you said?"
"I don't think I am!"
"Not? But suppose we had gone through the ceremony? Would you feel that you were then?"
"No. I should not feel even then that I was. I should feel worse than I do now."
"Why so—in the name of all that's perverse, my dear?"
"Because I am Richard's."
"Ah—you hinted that absurd fancy to me before!"
"It was only an impression with me then; I feel more and more convinced as time goes on that—I belong to him, or to nobody."
"My good heavens—how we are changing places!"