She would not let a speck of dust fall upon him, coddled him up for twenty-two years, would not have slept for nights together if there were the faintest breath against his reputation as a poet, a learned man, and a public character.

She had invented him, and had been the first to believe in her own invention.

He was, after a fashion, her day-dream....

But in return she exacted a great deal from him, sometimes even slavishness.

It was incredible how long she harboured resentment.