Rarely to good advantage did her husband appear, for her mind had so far outrun his in strength and cultivation, that the contrast was seriously against him--and he felt it as another barrier between them.
One year of pride was enough for Mr.Dexter.A beautiful, brilliant, fashionable wife was rather a questionable article to place on exhibition; there was danger, he saw, in the experiment.

And so he deemed it only the dictate of prudence to guard her from temptation.
An incident determined him.

They were at Newport, in the mid-season; and their intention was to remain there two weeks.

They had been to Saratoga, where the beauty and brilliancy of Mrs.Dexter drew around her some of the most intelligent and attractive men there.

All at once her husband suggested Newport.
"I thought we had fixed on next week," said Mrs.Dexter, in reply.
"I am not well," was the answer.