But by the time she had assumed her night-dress the first fury of passion had spent itself, and scalding tears were raining down her cheeks.
She threw herself on the bed, sobbing convulsively. "Oh, I never, never thought he would treat me so! and he wouldn't dare if papa was alive; but he knows I've nobody to defend me—nobody in the wide world, and he can abuse me as much as he pleases. But I think it's very mean for a big strong man to be cruel to a little weak woman."
Then as her anger cooled still more, "But I have done and said provoking things to-day as well as he," she acknowledged to herself. "I suppose if I'd been in his place I'd have got mad, too, and scolded and threatened my wife. Well, if he'd only come and kiss me and coax me a little, I'd say I was sorry and didn't intend to vex him, so any more."
She hushed her sobs and listened. She could hear him moving about in the dressing-room.
"Edward!" she called in soft, tremulous tones.
No answer.
She waited a moment, then called a little louder, "Ned!"
There was no reply, and she turned over on her pillow, and cried herself to sleep.
When she woke all was darkness and silence.
She felt half frightened.