"I see no reason against it," said Mr. Prentice, persisting.
"No, no," said Mrs. Marsden sadly.
"It's the only thing to do."
"You don't understand me." And as she said it, there was dignity as well as sadness in her voice. "Even if it were all easy and straightforward, I could never consent to allow the story of my married life to be told in Court—to the public. I could not bear it. I simply could not bear the shame of it."
"Oh!... Well, it would be like having a tooth out. Soon over."
"But that is only one reason. There are many others."
"Are there?"
"You shouldn't—you mustn't assume that he only is to blame. There are faults on both sides. And I have this on my conscience—that perhaps he would have done very well, if I hadn't married him."
"My dear—forgive my saying so—that is magnanimous, but nonsense."