On the part of Irene there was not the thought of yielding.

Her will, supported by pride, was as rigid as iron.

Reason had no power over her.

She felt, rather than thought.
Thus far, both as lover and husband, in all their alienations, Hartley had been the first to yield; and it was so now.

He was strong-willed and persistent; but cooler reason helped him back into the right way, and he had, thus far, found it quicker than Irene.
Not that he suffered less or repented sooner.