And he had never doubted the result of marital authority, should he at any time deem it necessary to lay upon Mrs.
Dexter an iron hand.

The occasion, as he believed, had arrived; the hand was put forth; the will was resolute; but his vice-like grip closed upon the empty air! The spirit with which he had to deal was of subtler essence and more vigorous life than he had imagined.
How suddenly were Mrs.Dexter's wifely, unselfish and self-denying purposes in regard to her husband scattered upon the winds! She had come to Newport, resolved to be all to him that it was possible for her to be--even to the withdrawing of herself more from social circles in which attractive men formed a part.

The admonitions of Mrs.De Lisle sunk deeply into her heart.

She saw her relation to her husband in a new aspect.

He had larger claims upon her than she had admitted heretofore.