What do you think would
be left of any woman's reputation after Grindle Esquire had pawed it
over? No, Mary, you've been rendered impossible; and you'll be made to
feel it for the rest of your days. People will point to you as the wife
who takes advantage of her husband's absence to throw herself into
another man's arms; and to me as the convenient husband who provides the
opportunity"--and Mahony groaned. In an impetuous flight of fancy he
saw his good name smirched, his practice laid waste.
Mary lifted her head at this, and wiped her eyes. "Oh, you always paint
everything so black. People know me--know I would never, never do such
a thing."
"Unfortunately we live among human beings, my dear, not in a community
of saints! But what does a good woman know of how a slander of this kind
clings?"
"But if I have a perfectly clear conscience?" Mary's tone was
incredulous, even a trifle aggrieved.
"It spells ruin all the same in a hole like this, if it once gets
about."
"But it shan't. I'll put my pride in my pocket and go to Amelia the
first thing in the morning. I'll make it right somehow.--But I must
say, Richard, in the whole affair I don't think you feel a bit sorry for
me. Or at least only for me as your wife. The horridest part of what
happened was mine, not yours--and I think you might show a little
sympathy."
"I'm too furious to feel sorry," replied Richard with gaunt
truthfulness, still marching up and down.
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