'So that's why he wouldn't take me to see her! He's been meeting her in secret. My instinct was right, but I didn't think he would do that now. Oh, to think he's been deceiving me!' 'But you mustn't be in such a hurry to judge.' protested Anne; 'it may be just some accidental thing. Hyacinth, do take my advice. Don't say anything about it to him, and see if he mentions it. If he doesn't, then you'll have some reason for suspecting him, and we'll see what can be done.' 'He won't mention it--I know he won't. What accident could make them meet in a hansom in the Cromwell Road? It's too cruel! And I thought she was good. I didn't know she'd be so wicked as this. Why, they've only been married a few months. He never loved me; I told you so, Anne. He ought not to have married me. He only did it out of pique. He never cared for anyone but that woman.' 'Is it hopeless to ask you to listen to reason? So far you have no proof of anything of the kind. Certainly not that he cares for her now.' 'Didn't I see his face? I don't think he's ever looked like that at me.' If Anne had had a momentary feeling of triumph, of that resignation to the troubles of other people that we are all apt to feel when the trouble is caused by one of whom we are jealous, the unworthy sentiment could not last at the sight of her friend's grief. 'This is serious, Hyacinth. And everything depends on your being clever now. I don't believe that she can possibly mean any harm. She never did. Why on earth should she now? And if you remember, she didn't look a bit interested. There must be some simple explanation.' 'And if there isn't?' 'Then a strong line must be taken. He must be got away from her.' "To think of having to say that! And he says he loves me! On our honeymoon I began to believe it. Since we have been home I told you I had vague fears, but nothing like this. It's an outrage." "It isn't necessarily an outrage for your husband to drive his aunt in a hansom." "Don't make fun of me, Anne, when you know she was formerly--" "But she wasn't, my dear. That's just the point. I'm perfectly sure, I _really_ believe, that she never regarded him in that way at all. She looks on him as a boy, and quite an ordinary boy." "Ah, but he isn't ordinary!" "What ever you do, Hyacinth, don't meet him by making a scene. At present he associates you with nothing but gentleness, affection, and pleasure. That is your power over him. It's a power that grows. Don't let him have any painful recollections of you." "But the other woman, according to you, never gave him pleasure and gentleness and all that--yet you see he turns to her." "That's a different thing. She didn't love him." There was a pause. "And if I find he doesn't mention the meeting, deceives me about it, don't you even advise me to charge him with it then?"