I am almost sure he will come." "Does he know you are here ?" "Yes." "Why did you leave without his knowledge ?" "To punish him." "Irene!" "I have answered without evasion.

It was to punish him." "I do not remember in the marriage vows you took upon yourselves anything relating to punishments," said Mr.Delancy.

"There were explicit things said of love and duty, but I do not recall a sentence that referred to the right of one party to punish the other." Mr.Delancy paused for a few moments, but there was no reply to this rather novel and unexpected view of the case.
"Did you by anything in the rite acquire authority to punish your husband when his conduct didn't just suit your fancy ?" Mr.Delancy pressed the question.
"It is idle, father," said Irene, with some sharpness of tone, "to make an issue like this.

It does not touch the case.

Away back of marriage contracts lie individual rights, which are never surrendered.