Words, looks, actions, insignificant in themselves, were made to represent states of will or antagonism which really had no existence.
Unhappily for their peace, Irene had a brooding disposition.

She held in her memory utterances and actions forgotten by her husband, and, by dwelling upon, magnified and gave them an importance to which they were not entitled.

Still more unhappily for their peace, Irene met about this time, and became attached to, a lady of fine intellectual attainments and fascinating manners, who was an extremist in opinion on the subject of sexual equality.

She was married, but to a man greatly her inferior, though possessing some literary talent, which he managed to turn to better account than she did her finer powers.

He had been attracted by her brilliant qualities, and in approaching her scorched his wings, and ever after lay at her feet.