She had a quick desire that he should at least know that civilized, sentient beings did not lend themselves to such outrageous comedies as this which he had confessed; it had somehow the air of a confession.

She could not let him fall so lamentably short of man's dignity, of man's estate, for his own sake.
"It is a curious history," she said.

"You are right in thinking I should not find it quite easy to understand.

We make those--arrangements--so much more for ourselves over here.

Perhaps we think them more important than they are." "But they are of the highest importance." He stopped short, confounded.
"I shall try to consecrate my marriage," he said presently, more to himself than to Advena.
Her thought told him bitterly: "I am afraid it is the only thing you can do with it," but something else came to her lips.
"I have not congratulated you.