He eyed
his brother-in-law rather haughtily.
'I can only say,' returned the other, who was become wearily
indifferent, 'that as soon as I can afford a decent home I shall
give my wife the opportunity of returning to me.'
'But, pray, when is that likely to be?'
John had passed the bounds; his manner was too frankly
contemptuous.
'I see no right you have to examine me in this fashion,' Reardon
exclaimed. 'With Mrs Yule I should have done my best to be
patient if she had asked these questions; but you are not
justified in putting them, at all events not in this way.'
'I'm very sorry you speak like this, Reardon,' said the other,
with calm insolence. 'It confirms unpleasant ideas, you know.'
'What do you mean?'
'Why, one can't help thinking that you are rather too much at
your ease under the circumstances. It isn't exactly an everyday
thing, you know, for a man's wife to be sent back to her own
people--'
Reardon could not endure the sound of these words. He interrupted
hotly.
'I can't discuss it with you. You are utterly unable to
comprehend me and my position, utterly! It would be useless to
defend myself.
Pages:
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465