Page:Stella Dallas, a novel (IA stelladallasnove00prou).pdf/179

Rh "Well, he does. I know he does."

"I should think under the circumstances he would wish to feel free to marry again."

"Well, he can't do it, and that's all there is to it. You can go back to New York and tell him that I refuse, with thanks, his chivalrous offer. Gracious. I don't call it exactly chivalrous for a man to walk off and leave his wife for seven years, and then, when he gets good and ready, give her the privilege of suing him for a divorce, so he can go and marry a rich young widow, and kick the high spots with her."

"You will, then, as I said before, force Mr. Dallas to bring suit against you."

"I never deserted him."

"No, your offense is graver."

"I never knew what my offense was. I've been ransacking my brain for seven years to find some good reason for Stephen's clearing out the way he did."

"Oh, come, Mrs. Dallas," half-laughed, half-sneered Mr. Morley Smith.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Don't try and pretend innocence with me. I've handled too many cases of this nature, dealt with too many women placed in your unenviable position. It won't work."

He looked straight into Stella's eyes, as he spoke, piercingly, drillingly. It was a horrid look. It was a look not to be endured from a man who was your enemy. Stella could feel the blood throbbing up into her throat.

"Are you trying to be insulting to me somehow?"