登陆注册
15445900000088

第88章 Chapter XXXVI. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert.(2)

"We have been to many places," she reminded him, "and we have got tired of them together."

"Is that my fault?"

"I didn't say it was."

He got up and approached the bell. "I think the journey has a little over-tired you," he resumed. "Would you like to go to your room?"

"I will go to my room, if you wish it."

He waited a little, and answered her as quietly as ever. "What I really wish," he said, "is that we had consulted a doctor while we were in London. You seem to be very easily irritated of late.

I observe a change in you, which I willingly attribute to the state of your health--"

She interrupted him. "What change do you mean?"

"It's quite possible I may be mistaken, Sydney. But I have more than once, as I think, seen something in your manner which suggests that you distrust me."

"I distrust the evil life we are leading," she burst out, "and I see the end of it coming. Oh, I don't blame you! You are kind and considerate, you do your best to hide it; but you have lived long enough with me to regret the woman whom you have lost. You begin to feel the sacrifice you have made--and no wonder. Say the word, Herbert, and I release you."

"I will never say the word!"

She hesitated--first inclined, then afraid, to believe him. "I have grace enough left in me," she went on, "to feel the bitterest repentance for the wrong that I have done to Mrs.

Linley. When it ends, as it must end, in our parting, will you ask your wife--?"

Even his patience began to fail him; he refused--firmly, not angrily--to hear more. "She is no longer my wife," he said.

Sydney's bitterness and Sydney's penitence were mingled, as opposite emotions only _can_ be mingled in a woman's breast.

"Will you ask your wife to forgive you?" she persisted.

"After we have been divorced at her petition?" He pointed to the window as he said it. "Look at the sea. If I was drowning out yonder, I might as well ask the sea to forgive me."

He produced no effect on her. She ignored the Divorce; her passionate remorse asserted itself as obstinately as ever. "Mrs.

Linley is a good woman," she insisted; "Mrs. Linley is a Christian woman."

"I have lost all claim on her--even the claim to remember her virtues," he answered, sternly. "No more of it, Sydney! I am sorry I have disappointed you; I am sorry if you are weary of me."

At those last words her manner changed. "Wound me as cruelly as you please," she said, humbly. "I will try to bear it."

"I wouldn't wound you for the world! Why do you persist in distressing me? Why do you feel suspicion of me which I have not deserved?" He stopped, and held out his hand. "Don't let us quarrel, Sydney. Which will you do? Keep your bad opinion of me, or give me a fair trial?"

She loved him dearly; she was so young--and the young are so ready to hope! Still, she struggled against herself. "Herbert! is it your pity for me that is speaking now?"

He left her in despair. "It's useless!" he said, sadly. "Nothing will conquer your inveterate distrust."

She followed him. With a faint cry of entreaty she made him turn to her, and held him in a trembling embrace, and rested her head on his bosom. "Forgive me--be patient with me--love me." That was all she could say.

He attempted to calm her agitation by speaking lightly. "At last, Sydney, we are friends again!" he said.

Friends? All the woman in her recoiled from that insufficient word. "Are we Lovers?" she whispered.

"Yes!"

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 魂不归体

    魂不归体

    一出生,我脖子上就挂了枚玉佩,这玉佩,和我同根而生!
  • 根本说一切有部苾芻习学略法

    根本说一切有部苾芻习学略法

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 通天荒塔

    通天荒塔

    玄历十二年,妖魔乱舞,人族天赋低下,惨遭奴役,有少年天赋异禀,本领高强,带人族揭竿而起,隳名城,斩妖魔。收天下之兵,借天之势,化毕身修为,作通天之塔八座,以镇妖魔。后人成为通天——荒塔
  • 茉凌,若相惜

    茉凌,若相惜

    一篇很是垃圾的文章。非常无奈。非常非常无奈.
  • 琅琊往事

    琅琊往事

    她是长公主驸马之妹,贤良淑德,机敏聪慧;一朝入宫,一面之缘,对他一见倾心;她说,彼此当年少,莫负好时光,他说,葭儿,我定不负你。她拥有倾城之貌,得到他的万千宠爱,却得不到他的心。青楼女子、太师之女、初恋替身......他有倾国之权,如画容貌,身边女子如过江之卿。一次又一次的怀疑,一次又一次的失望,这场单恋,终会将她推向深渊。
  • 五年等到你

    五年等到你

    在景城一所大学读书的两个人,因为一次误会,让两个毫不相干的两个人有了交集,且看他们接下来,又会如何
  • 命缘:三世虐恋

    命缘:三世虐恋

    夜浅柔从单纯的九尾狐几经波折好不容易修炼到九尾却因一个人丧命黄泉立下诅咒许他生生世世平安无难,未料,同门师妹赎罪命换命到救回她,找到她前世的尸体招魂令她复活,前世是一位神女死于沦为魔道被天帝惩罚,九玄琴与她不离不弃谁曾料一把琴也与他有关系,他因她而死三世如此,不肯喝下孟婆汤不过奈何桥,返回人间只为寻她。不愿忘记她最后死都要许他平安的人,口吐鲜血,双眸含泪,死在他面前!不能白头偕老又怎样只要你世上有你,那怕只有一天生命也要站在你身旁!。。“我夜浅柔以我魂魄下咒与简凌宇,要他生生世世平安无难!”……一琴二人三世缘
  • 原谅对不起

    原谅对不起

    秦明在雨夜中认识风铃,同时卷入一场权利争夺战,相继认识景岚澈,直到他发疯的吻自己那一刻才直到自己的心摆在哪里,与此同时,真相也渐渐浮出水面,面对亲情,爱情,友情的背叛秦明会做出怎样的选择……动了情的恶魔怎么可能是原来是原来的恶魔,如果你曾奋不顾身的爱过一个人那么就会明白所有放弃都是徒劳,这是一段关于爱情,离别,伤痛,同性的故事,希望你们喜欢。
  • 七度空间之逆天风雷行

    七度空间之逆天风雷行

    一个生命的死去,代表着一个故事的结束。一位英雄的逝去,代表着一段传奇的落幕。这个世界充满了向往,这个世界充满激情。这个世界也充满了危险。是高高在上的异能裁决者,是毁天灭地的王族异能兽,是让人疯狂的奇珍异宝,还是令人无限期待的神秘传说。在这个异能者的庞大世界里,大家,伙伴,友情,爱恨,磨砺,生死,信念,欢呼,悲伤,疯狂,痛苦,眼泪,离别,回忆,重聚,战斗,热血。行风:“我不是最厉害的,我打不过小雷,我也打不过小婷,我打不过欧罗,我可能连大胖子也打不赢。可是,我是他们的老大,他们相信我,他们需要我,就像我需要他们一样。所以,我不能输。哪怕是死,只要他们还相信我,那我就要战斗下去”。