Part 26 (1/2)
She met Adriana with a worried face, and barely touching the fingers of her outstretched hand, said, ”I have a letter this morning, and I think you ought to know about it, Adriana. It concerns your brother. I am sure it has been the most wretched thing for my poor Rose that she ever met the man.”
”That statement would be hard to prove,” answered Adriana.
”You need not draw yourself up like a tragedy queen because I feel so bitterly the mistake my daughter has made. Rose has been a miserable wife from the first day of her marriage, and there is no use in denying the fact. And if her misery has led her to unwise ways of seeking relief, she is hardly to be blamed. She says, too, that she has never had a day's health since the birth of her baby. And you know what a stern, unsympathetic man her husband is.”
”I know that Antony has a heart of infinite love and forbearance. Few men would have endured what he has borne without a complaint. Rose is unreasonable, petulant, and, in fact, unmanageable. Several people who saw her last summer have told me about her caprices. They can only be accounted for on the supposition that she had been 'seeking relief.'”
”I have no doubt Antony is as bad as she is.”
”Antony is absolutely temperate in all things.”
”Antony is, of course, an angel.”
”I think he is. Certainly he has had more than mortal patience with and love for a most ungrateful woman.”
”All the Van Hoosens are angels; nevertheless, no one can live with them.”
”Mr. Filmer is a Van Hoosen, and you have managed to live with him.
Harry is a Van Hoosen, and I find it very delightful to live with Harry.”
”Oh, I can tell you that Harry is no saint. I wish you could hear society laughing at the way he deceives you.”
”There is nothing for society to laugh at; consequently you are mistaken.”
”You blind woman! You poor blind woman! Everybody knows that Harry never stops with you one hour that he can help. He is devoted to that lovely Cora Mitchin.”
”Madam! if you came here to insult my husband, I will not listen to you.”
”I came here to enlighten the stupidest woman in New York.”
”I know all I want to know; and I know nothing wrong of my husband.
There is no happier wife in America than I am. I believe in Harry Filmer. It is beyond your power to shake my faith in him. Good morning, madam.”
”Stop one moment. Rose is coming back. We must all, every one connected with Rose, do our best to surround her with proper influences. Miss Alida helped to make the unfortunate marriage, and I shall expect her to countenance and stand by Rose.”
”You must tell her so. I am sure she will do all that she conceives to be right for her to do.”
”I want you to tell her that she ought, that she must, give a party to welcome Rose back. Indeed, she could get Madame Zabriski to be the hostess if she likes, and she should do so.”
”Why should she do so?”
”Madame Zabriski's favor would silence all the false and ugly reports people have brought from the other side. I look to you, Adriana, to carry this point.”
”I prefer not to interfere with Madame Zabriski's entertainments.”
”You owe Rose something.”
”I owe Rose nothing but anger for the way she has treated my good brother. Poor Antony! My heart bleeds for him.”
”Poor Rose! It is Rose that is to be pitied. But you are an immensely cruel, selfish woman! It used to be Rose here, and Rose there, until you had stolen Rose's brother. Now you will not even say a word for Rose; though a few words from you might get her into the best society.”