"It is scarcely surprising that it did not flourish." Sir Roland made no response.

The interest had faded entirely from his face.

He looked supremely bored.
Lady Brooke moved towards the door.
"It seems to be your pleasure to thwart me at every turn," she said.

"A labourer's wife has more variety in her existence than I." "Infinitely more," said Sir Roland, returning to his paper.

"A labourer's wife, my dear, has an occasional beating to chasten her spirit, and she is considerably the better for it." His wife stood still, very erect and queenly.
"Not only the better, but the happier," she said very bitterly.