Part 55 (1/2)
”I do a.s.sure you.”
”Then I don't want it either.”
”And Erzeele?”
”No,” she said, shaking her head. ”It's not as people say.”
”What do they say?”
”That he is my lover. He's not that.”
”I never supposed he was.”
”I value his friends.h.i.+p ... but I could not be his wife.”
”Why not?”
”Because I am your wife.”
”Do you feel that?”
”Always.”
”My poor child!” he said, in spite of himself.
”Why do you pity me?” she asked, proudly.
”Because I have done you a wrong. Because I am unable to atone.”
”You have done me no wrong. We loved each other very much ... then. At that time ... I thought I understood you. Now I no longer understand you. You breathe too rarefied an air for me.”
”No, it isn't that. But....”
”What?”
”Nothing. So, Tilly, you don't want us to be divorced.”
She looked at him anxiously:
”No,” she entreated.
”Well, dear, then we won't be,” he said, gently. ”Only ... our present life ... is no life at all. So it will be better if....”
”If what?”
”If I don't stay with you, if I go away.”
”And I?”
”You remain here, in this house, where everything is as you like it. You stay ... with our children.”