Part 58 (1/2)
”d.a.m.n the rooms!” he muttered.
Marian took up her letter again.
”Do you know that he has filed a pet.i.tion for divorce?” he said, aggressively.
”Yes.”
”You might have mentioned it to me. Probably you have known it for days past.”
”Yes. I thought it was a matter of course.”
”Or rather you did not think at nil. I suppose you would have left me in ignorance forever, if I had not heard from London myself.”
”Is it of importance, then?”
”Certainly it is--of vital importance.”
”Have you any other news? From whom have you heard?”
”I have received some private letters.”
”Oh! I beg your pardon.”
Five minutes pa.s.sed in silence. He looked out of the window, frowning.
She sat as before.
”How much longer do you intend to stay in this place?” he said, turning upon her suddenly.
”In New York?”
”This is New York, I believe.”
”I think we may as well stay here as anywhere else.”
”Indeed! On what grounds have you arrived at that cheering conclusion?”
Marian shrugged her shoulders. ”I dont know,” she said.
”Nor do I. You do not seem happy here. At least, if you are, you fail to communicate your state of mind to those about you.”
”So it seems.”
”What does that mean?”
”That you do not seem to be happy either.”
”How in the devil's name can you expect me to be happy in this city? Do you think it is pleasant to have no alternative to the society of American men except that of a sulky woman?”
”Sholto!” said Marian, rising quickly, and looking at him in surprise.