It was a flowering out of feelings which had been withering in dry and almost barren soil for many years.

It is probable that Carrie represented a better order of woman than had ever attracted him before.
He had had no love affair since that which culminated in his marriage, and since then time and the world had taught him how raw and erroneous was his original judgment.

Whenever he thought of it, he told himself that, if he had it to do over again, he would never marry such a woman.
At the same time, his experience with women in general had lessened his respect for the sex.

He maintained a cynical attitude, well grounded on numerous experiences.

Such women as he had known were of nearly one type, selfish, ignorant, flashy.