Weaker than a Woman — page 164: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. 155 there is no understanding a woman—fair dealing is not characteristic of the sex. Still I should not like to think that you married me for my money, and for nothing else. Did you, Violet?” She was not clever at lying, although she had broken a noble heart by her weakness. She had not the quick, ready fashion of speaking falsely which she acquired afterward. She buried her face in her hands; it was easier to weep, after the weak fashion of women, than to speak. “Nay, I did not mean to pain you, Violet,” he said. ‘Do notcry. Still I should like to know that you love me. No man would like to think that his wife had married him for his money.” After that little scene Lady Chevenix did not feel quite if sure of her husband, and began to stand a little in awe of him. * * * *K B * *f 6 The gay French capital might be as gay as it would be, Sir Owen would not remain. Invitations poured in upon him and his beautiful young wife—he would not accept them. One of his fixed resolves was to be in England at Christmas, and to England he was determined to go. In vain Violet pleaded that Garswood at Christmas would be dull. He laughed at the notion. “No place is ever dull where I am, Violet,” he cried. “That shows how little you know me. _ I shall fill the place with visitors of my own choosing—and I promise you that we shall not spend our time in singing psalms.” That was the first dissension between Violet and her hus- band. She would fain have remained longer, but Sir Owen was tired of Paris. He liked English sports, English habits, and English cheer. He was angry that Violet should for one moment presume to like Paris. It was un- heard of, he said, that any Englishwoman should find Christmas at home dull. And that was the first time that Violet saw him inarage. He swore loudly—not at her— that was to come later on. He declared the whole race of women foolish and idiotic. He frightened her so that she was glad to escape from his presence, and give orders for the packing up. “Tam not my own mistress, after all,” she said, with a discontented look on her fair face. “I cannot do as I lke. I never dreamed that I should have a master.” She did not like the idea. She had been so free and un- fettered all her life that it was new to her to be under con- Eomichbooks