morality risen! I, who have been true to you in every thought, word and deed, am rewarded by your open infidelity, and for my work, which has at any rate kept you in ease and comfort, I am called “unsexed,” despite my pains! If I chose, I could fling you back your insult; for a man who lives on a woman’s earnings is more “unsexed” than the woman who earns. I never thought of this before; my love was too blind, too passionate. Now I do think of it; and thinking, I wonder at myself and you!’ He dropped lazily into a chair and looked at her. ‘I suppose your temper will be over presently,’ he said, ‘and you will see things in a more reasonable light. You must remember I have given you a great position, Delicia; I think our marriage has been one of perfect mutual benefit. “Literary” women hardly ever get a chance of marrying at all, you know; men are afraid of them—won’t marry them on any account;—would rather have a barmaid, really—and when a “literary” woman gets into the aristocracy and all that—well, by Jove!—it’s a splendid thing for her, you know, and gives her a great lift! As for being unfaithful to you, why, there is not a man in my “set” who is absolutely immaculate; I am no worse than any of them—in fact, I am much better. You read so much, and you write so much, that you ought to know these things without my telling them to you. “Give and take” is the only possible rule in marriage, and I really thought you would have good sense enough to admit it—’ Delicia regarded him with a chill smile.