“He did it to please me, he did it for me, damn it, for me!” said Lily. “You’re rid of your lawsuit: you ought to talk differently and thank me!”
“And why should he do it to please you? What is there between you?” asked Trampy, looking her in the face.
“You’re drunk!” said Lily furiously, with her hand ready to scratch.
“No scenes in the street!” said Trampy. “We’ll go into this at home ...”
“Then I shan’t come in!” said Lily, abruptly turning her back on him. “I’m going to the theater!”
She had nothing to do on the stage; only the idea of being alone in the room with Trampy seemed intolerable to her. At the least discussion, Lily felt it, she would have thrown the lamp at his head, so great was her indignation at his insolence!
She was boiling over with anger when she reached the theater. There were people practising; it was the time for it. Lily went up to her dressing-room, shifted things in her trunk, anyhow, for something to do. The idea that her husband thought her capable of anything wrong made her angry. Oh, to get a divorce, to part from him! As this could not go on for ever, it might as well be done at once; but it would be better if there were no fault on her part. A divorce, yes; but with the honors on her side; a divorce in her favor! Patience, the opportunity would come! It ought to be quite easy, with the girls whom Trampy beguiled, the love letters which he received, to catch him in the act, cover him with ridicule, get the best of him. Oh, if she only could! To be a poor little victim, how touching! A dear little outraged wife!
“You fool, if I catch you!” she said.
Then another idea passed through her brain. Oh, if it were true! She would have danced for joy! Trampy’s marriage in America.
“Is it true? Is it true? God above, grant that it be true!”