"No," she answered, in a tone of pain, "never before, never before."
"And why now? There's no occasion for it."
"I will not descend to explanation or reproach," she said, after a pause; "you may ask your own conscience how much of the latter you merit. I shall go home tomorrow; I dare not stay in this house with that woman. Do you understand me, I dare not. You can accompany me if--if---- Robert, you must choose between us."
He did not speak for a minute or two; and when he did, it was in a careless tone, as though he wished to make light of the matter altogether.
"Of course if you have made up your mind to return to an uncomfortable home, half pulled down, we must do so. I am sorry for the caprice, for we shall be choked with paint and dust."
"Very well. We go tomorrow. I will send Elizabeth over early in the morning, to get things straight for us."
She rose as she spoke, and began to undress. His eyes fell upon the tumbler. Taking it up he held it to the light.
"I do believe this is your whey! It is quite cold. To drink it like this would do you no good."
"Oh, what does it signify?" she answered; as if that and all things else were utterly indifferent to her.
Mr. Lake quitted the room without speaking. By and by he came back with another glassful, quite hot.