It seemed to him that while he had seen no want of
patience and kindness towards her in Lemuel, he had not seen the
return of her fondness, which, silly as it was in some of its
manifestations, he thought he should be glad of in him. Yet he was
not sure. Barker was always so self-contained that he might very
well feel more love for her than he showed; and, after all, Sewell
rather weakly asked himself, was the love so absolutely necessary?
When he repeated this question in his wife's presence, she told him
she was astonished at him.
"You know that it is _vitally_ necessary! It's all the more
necessary, if he's so superior to her, as you say. I can't think
what's become of your principles, my dear!"
"I do, you've got them," said Sewell.
"I really believe I have," said his wife, with that full conviction
of righteousness which her sex alone can feel. "I have always heard
you say that marriage without love was not only sinful in itself,
but the beginning of sorrow. Why do you think now that it makes no
difference?"
"I suppose I was trying to adapt myself to circumstances," answered
Sewell, frankly at least. "Let's hope that my facts are as wrong as
my conclusions. I'm not sure of either. I suppose, if I saw him
idolising so slight and light a person as she seems to be, I should
be more disheartened about his future than I am now.
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