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278 Edith's eyes widened slowly and she nodded. "I see; jealous," she said after a moment. "Oh, what a frightful passion jealousy is! There's something so sordid, so mean about it! But I'll be careful—thank you."

And she was careful. She by no means gave up her intention of melting Ernesto, but she proceeded with a cleverness which Teresa saw and loathed. Ernesto was clever, too, after his initial mistake. He was fond of caressing his wife in public, and Nina liked this small change of affection. They were a rather oppressively domestic couple, on the surface. In Nina's place, Teresa reflected, she would have led Ernesto a life! She said as much to him one day when they strolled up into the woods together.

"I wish you had had the chance," was his prompt retort. "I shouldn't mind any sort of a life with you."

"Don't waste your gallantry on me!" she said, laughing. "Unless of course it's by way of keeping your hand in. I am cross with you, when I see what a slave you make of poor Nina."

"I make a slave of her! Dearest Teresa, it's she that makes the slave of herself. I've always wanted her to go into the world, to enjoy herself, to dress herself, to go about with me—but she will not."

"How can she, when you spend all the money?"