In the depths of her humiliation she had almost convinced herself that she had never respected George, that she had never believed in him, forgetting the pride and adoration of her young motherhood.

Whatever George did she could not change his relation to her--she could not shatter the one indissoluble bond that holds mankind together.
"Gabriella, you don't--you can't--" she repeated wildly.
Then, as Gabriella turned quickly and left the room, Mrs.Fowler rose stoically to her feet, adjusted her belt with a tremulous movement of her hands, and smiled bravely as she went to the mirror to put on her hat.

Heartbroken and distraught of mind though she was, she submitted instinctively to the lifelong tyranny of appearances..