All disguises were thrown away, and he stood forth, not a loving husband, but the tyrant of her home.

Weak, jealous, passion-tost child! how this strong, self-willed, false woman of the world had bewildered her thoughts, and pushed her forth into an arena of strife, where she could only beat about blindly, and hurt herself and others, yet accomplish no good.
From her interview with Mrs.Talbot, Irene went home, bearing more distinct ideas of resistance in her mind.

In this great crisis of her life she felt that she needed just such a friend, who could give direction to her striving spirit, and clothe for her in thoughts the native impulses that she knew only as a love of freedom.

She believed now that she understood herself better than before, and comprehended more clearly her duties and responsibilities.
It was in this mood of mind that she met her husband when he returned in the afternoon from his office.

Happily for them, he was in a quiet, non-resistant state, and in a special good-humor with himself and the world.