He would just as soon have thought of taking Phipps into his confidence, or of deferring to his wishes in any project, as of extending those courtesies to his wife.
There was another consideration which weighed somewhat heavily upon his mind.

He was not entirely sure that he would not be ashamed of Mrs.
Belcher in the grand home which he had provided for himself.

He respected her, and had loved her in his poor, sensual fashion, some changeful years in the past; he had regarded her as a good mother, and, at least, as an inoffensive wife; but she was not Mrs.Dillingham.

She would not be at home in the society of which he had caught a glimpse, or among the splendors to which he would be obliged to introduce her.
Even Talbot, the man who was getting rich upon the products of his enterprise, had a more impressive wife than he.

And thus, with much reflection, this strange, easy-natured brute without a conscience, wrought up his soul into self-pity.