Vain now to think of hiding her secret from that friend--and who could be more safely trusted with it?
But she still had the resource of entreaty.
"You talk of right and wrong--is it right to be merciless?
What can I ever be to you?
Would you take me away by force, and compel me to live with you?
I have told you I would die rather.

When you think of everything, have you no pity for me?
Whatever you intended, wasn't our marriage a terrible injustice to me?
Oughtn't you to give a thought to that ?" "You are living an immoral life," replied Northway, with tremulous emphasis.

"I could hold you up to shame.

No, I don't ask you to come and live with me at once; I don't expect that.

But you must leave that man, and live a respectable life, and--then in time I shall forgive you, instead of disgracing you in the divorce court.