Proud, angry resistance and sullen endurance were now almost the only alternations she knew.

She would bear it all proudly to the world, but proudly towards him too; her woman's weakness might shriek a cry for pity under a heavy blow, but voluntarily she would do nothing to mollify him, unless he first relented.

What had she ever done to him but love him too well--but believe in him too foolishly?
He had no pity on her tender flesh; he could strike the soft neck he had once asked to kiss.

Yet she would not admit her wretchedness; she had married him blindly, and she would bear it out to the terrible end, whatever that might be.

Better this misery than the blank that lay for her outside her married home.
But there was one person who heard all the plaints and all the outbursts of bitterness and despair which Janet was never tempted to pour into any other ear; and alas! in her worst moments, Janet would throw out wild reproaches against that patient listener.