Page:Dale - A Marriage Below Zero.djvu/180

174, it has seemed to me that our life was becoming distasteful to you. At first I thought nothing of the symptoms, but I was unable to think thus lightly of them, later. Elsie," his voice quivering with emotion, "suppose we have made a great mistake?"

For a few moments I was bewildered. His argument was made in such a pathetic tone, that I felt unnatural compassion for him at the expense of my own womanliness would ruin the situation, if I were not on my guard.

"I do not understand you," I said. "You have not answered my mother's suggestions. If—if you love another woman, make a clean breast of it to me—your wife, and oh, Arthur," melting in spite of myself, "I—I will try to—to forgive you the wrong you have done me."

I seized his hand in a frenzy of grief. If only he would tell me all, everything could be remedied, I felt sure.

"Who is the woman?" I asked boldly.

He made no answer.

"Tell me who she is and all shall be set right."