It seemed a most irritating drag upon all his desires and opportunities.
For all this, he still retained the semblance of leadership and control, even though his wife was straining to revolt.

Her display of temper and open assertion of opposition were based upon nothing more than the feeling that she could do it.

She had no special evidence wherewith to justify herself--the knowledge of something which would give her both authority and excuse.

The latter was all that was lacking, however, to give a solid foundation to what, in a way, seemed groundless discontent.
The clear proof of one overt deed was the cold breath needed to convert the lowering clouds of suspicion into a rain of wrath.
An inkling of untoward deeds on the part of Hurstwood had come.

Doctor Beale, the handsome resident physician of the neighborhood, met Mrs.
Hurstwood at her own doorstep some days after Hurstwood and Carrie had taken the drive west on Washington Boulevard.