Irene's suffering was far deeper, but she was blinder and more self-determined.
Again the sun of peace smiled down upon them, but, as before, on something shorn of its strength or beauty.
"I will be more guarded," said Hartley to himself.

"Knowing her weakness, why should I not protect her against everything that wounds her sensitive nature?
Love concedes, is long suffering and full of patience.

I love Irene--words cannot tell how deeply.

Then why should I not, for her sake, bear and forbear?
Why should I think of myself and grow fretted because she does not yield as readily as I could desire to my wishes ?" So Emerson talked with himself and resolved.

But who does not know the feebleness of resolution when opposed to temperament and confirmed habits of mind?
How weak is mere human strength! Alas! how few, depending on that alone, are ever able to bear up steadily, for any length of time, against the tide of passion! Off his guard in less than twenty-four hours after resolving thus with himself, the young husband spoke in captious disapproval of something which Irene had done or proposed to do, and the consequence was the assumption on her part of a cold, reserved and dignified manner, which hurt and annoyed him beyond measure.