She came to know of his infidelities, and they maddened her.

They had no children, and in the end he had threatened her with desertion.

When she had retorted in strong words, he slapped her face, and left her with an ugly smile.
The house where they lived was outside Dublin, in a secluded spot, yet not far from stores and shops.

There was this to be said for Noreen--that she kept her home spotlessly clean, even with two indifferent servants.

She had a gift for housewifery, which, at its best, was as good as anything in the world, and far better than could be found in most parts of Ireland.
Of visitors they had few, if any, and the young wife was left alone to brood upon her wrongs.