"After a generation or two!" Burgoyne remarked.
"It depends on the woman herself—on how she acts," said Pendleton.
"Somewhat—but it depends more on the women and how they feel. You said, a moment ago, that women were poor forgetters. This is one of the crimes they never forgive nor forget."
"Not exactly. They never forget the woman who has been unfortunate before marriage and has been found out. They have a slightly different code for a married woman who has gone wrong and is caught—and then rights herself. If she is prudent and has money, caste, and friends, she'll pull herself through after a year or so."
"She will be more apt to pull through if her husband sticks to her," Burgoyne replied.
"I thought that was understood!" Pendleton responded.
"And if the husband—divorces her?"
Pendleton raised his hands.
"I don't know," he reflected. "Again, however, I think that it depends on the woman and money and caste and friends. What would be impossible for some is easily possible for others."
"How would it be with Stephanie Lorraine?" Burgoyne asked.