There was a new minister in a Baptist chapel a mile or two away, of whom she talked, whose services she attended.

The very mention of him presently became a boredom to Fenwick.

The new influence had no effect upon her jealousies and discontents; but it re-enforced a natural asceticism, and weakened whatever power she possessed of playing on a husband's passion.
Meanwhile, Fenwick was partly aware of her state of mind, and far from happy himself.

His conscience pricked him; but such prickings are small help to love.

Often he found himself guiltily brooding over Lord Findon's tirades against the early marriages of artists.