There could be no doubt, he decided, that it would have been far better for the world if these couples had separated.

Even the Ambroses, whom he admired and respected profoundly--in spite of all the love between them, was not their marriage too a compromise?
She gave way to him; she spoilt him; she arranged things for him; she who was all truth to others was not true to her husband, was not true to her friends if they came in conflict with her husband.

It was a strange and piteous flaw in her nature.

Perhaps Rachel had been right, then, when she said that night in the garden, "We bring out what's worst in each other--we should live separate." No Rachel had been utterly wrong! Every argument seemed to be against undertaking the burden of marriage until he came to Rachel's argument, which was manifestly absurd.

From having been the pursued, he turned and became the pursuer.