“Oh Helen! do you really mean it?” she faltered. “Yes, of course I do. He will go out into the world and mix in society, where he will be made much of; petted by women, for whom a hero _has_ attractions. Basking in the world’s smiles, rich, handsome, and successful, he will soon forget the proud, heartless, obstinate girl he once called wife. All sympathy will be for him. For you, living here in remote seclusion, eating your heart out with unavailing regrets, what will you do? You will not even have the comfort of your own compassion; all you can say will be, ‘It serves me right!’ And as year by year snatches a portion of your youth and beauty from you, you will settle down into a miserable, dejected, hopeless woman.” “My goodness, Helen, what a horoscope! what a picture!” “Then, Alice, unless you would see it a reality, be up and doing; rouse yourself, endeavour to be the gay lighthearted Alice of former days. Instead of cold looks and short answers, try once more smiles and jests, assume a virtue if you have it not; get out some of your former perfect wardrobe and make yourself as lovely as you can, and I promise you you will find yourself much happier ere long. You _will_ make an effort to make friends, will you not, my dear girl?” said Helen, smoothing Alice’s shining hair and kissing her on the forehead. “As a wife, it is your _duty_ to be submissive.” “It is a very painful, difficult duty,” said Alice, laying her face against Helen’s arm. “Do you wish to lose him altogether, Alice?” exclaimed Helen impatiently. “No, no, I could not, I will not,” she whispered without raising her head. During the last few moments Alice’s love and pride had struggled in mortal conflict, and pride had been slain. After a silence of nearly five minutes, she raised her head and stood up, and turning her tear-stained colourless face to her cousin said: “What shall I do if Reginald repulses me, as he most probably will, since you say he is so angry?” “Never mind; after all he is your husband, in spite of the folly you both talk about ward and guardian. He is as much your husband as Mark is mine, and you need not be bashful in making stray little advances to him. It is not as if you were a stranger.” “It will be just as bad as if he were. I told him we were to be strangers for the future.” “You told him _that_!” exclaimed Helen with a gesture of incredulity. “I never heard of such madness--never! Impress upon him without delay that you have exercised your sex’s privilege and changed your mind. Run away now and get ready for dinner; the first bell was rung ten minutes ago. And let me see that you will be a good sensible girl for once, and, what is more important still, a good wife. Remember that we have always to give in.” “If you only had any idea of the task you have set me, and how small and miserable I feel,” replied Alice, with her hand on the door-handle.