Page:Stella Dallas, a novel (IA stelladallasnove00prou).pdf/178

168 "I'm sorry to disoblige Stephen, I'm sure," said Stella, shrugging too.

"I meant a pity for you," flashed back Mr. Smith. And the smile and suave manner had disappeared. "Mr. Dallas can obtain his divorce without the least difficulty in the world, by another method. Don't have any doubt on that point. But the other method will not be exactly to your liking, I fear," he announced, fastening his keen shrewd eyes upon Stella. "I always feel sorry for any woman," he went on, "whose mistakes and misdemeanors of a dozen years are dragged out by opposing lawyers from the little hiding-places where she thought they were safe, and held up for the curious public to gape at and glory in. Your husband, Mrs. Dallas, in allowing you to bring suit against him, instead of the other way round, is acting chivalrously. He is offering you an avenue of escape."

"I don't want any avenue of escape," Stella retorted. "I tell you I don't want a divorce."

Really it was annoying. Mr. Morley Smith couldn't make the least indentation on her.

"It looks to me, Mrs. Dallas, as if you will be obliged to have a divorce whether you want it or not."

"I don't know why. I don't pretend to know anything about the law, but I've got some common sense, and I never heard of a woman's being forced to get a divorce from her husband because he happens to want to go and get married again. Stephen does want to get married again, doesn't he?"

"That's entirely a side issue in this case, Mrs. Dallas. I am unable to inform you."