Fenwick's Career

by Mrs. Humphry Ward

'Eugénie!—tell me one thing!—you are in the same mind as ever about the divorce?'

She made a sign of assent.

'Just the same. I am Albert's wife—unless he himself asks me to release him—and then the release would only be—for him.'

'You are too hard on yourself, Eugénie!' cried Lord Findon. 'I vow you are! You set an impossible standard.'

'I am his wife'—she repeated, gently—'while he lives. And if he sent for me—at any hour of the day or night—I would go.'

Lord Findon gave an angry sigh.

'You can't wonder, Eugénie,' he said, impetuously, 'that I often wish his death.'

A shudder ran through her.

'Don't, papa! Never, never wish that. He loves life so.'

'Yes!—now that he has ruined yours.'