But if they did not--! Such was the phase of life under which at the present moment it behoved him to exist.
And then, when he reached his home, how was he welcomed?
With all the fond love which a loving wife can show; so much at least was his; but before he had felt the sweetness of her caresses, before he had acknowledged how great was the treasure that he possessed, forth from her eager lips had come the whole tale of Mrs.Val's impertinence.
'I will never see her again, Alaric! never; she talked of her daughter's money, and said something of suspicion!' Suspicion! Gertrude's eye again flashed fire with anger; and she all but stamped with her little foot upon the ground.

Suspicion! suspect him, her husband, the choice of her heart, her Alaric, the human god whom she worshipped! suspect him of robbery! her lord, her heart, her soul, the strong staff on which she leaned so securely, with such true feminine confidence! Suspect him of common vile dishonesty!--'You will never ask me to see her again -- will you, Alaric ?' What was he to say to her?
how was he to bear this?
His heart yearned to tell her all; he longed for the luxury of having one bosom to whom he could entrust his misery, his slight remaining hope.

But how could he himself, at one blow, by one word, destroy the high and polished shaft on which she whom he loved had placed him?
He could not do it.

He would suffer by himself; hope by himself, cease to hope by himself, and endure all, till either his sufferings or his hopes should be over.
He had to pretend that he was indignant at Mrs.Val's interference; he had to counterfeit the feelings of outraged honour, which was so natural to Gertrude.

This he failed to do well.