What we were brought up to consider impossible--" "What we were brought up to consider impossible was what kept me up to the mark out there, Nina." He made a gesture toward the East.

"Now, I come back here and learn that we've all outgrown those ideas--" "Phil! I never meant that." He said: "If Alixe found that she cared for Ruthven, I don't blame her.
Laws and statutes can't govern such matters.

If she found she no longer cared for me, I could not blame her.

But two people, mismated, have only one chance in this world--to live their tragedy through with dignity.
That is absolutely all life holds for them.

Beyond that, outside of that dead line--treachery to self and race and civilisation! That is my conclusion after a year's experience in hell." He rose and began to pace the floor, fingers worrying his moustache.