"Tell me, Ursula, what constitutes a man one's husband?
Brutality, tyranny--the tyranny which the law sanctions?
Or kindness, sympathy, devotion, everything that makes life beautiful--everything that constitutes happiness and--" "Sin." The word in her ear was so low, that she started as if conscience only had uttered it--conscience, to whom only her intents were known.
John came forward, speaking gravely, but not unkindly.
"Lady Caroline, I am deeply grieved that this should have happened in my house, and through your visiting us against your husband's will." "His will!" "Pardon me; but I think a wife is bound to the very last to obey in all things, not absolutely wrong, her husband's will.

I am glad you thought of writing to Mr.Brithwood." She shook her head, in mocking denial.
"May I ask, then--since I am to have the honour of sending it--to whom is this letter ?" "To--" I think she would have told a falsehood, if John's eyes had not been so keenly fixed upon her.

"To--a friend." "Friends are at all times dangerous to a lady who--" "Hates her husband--ha! ha! Especially male friends ?" "Especially male friends." Here Guy, who had lingered out of his little bed most unlawfully--hovering about, ready to do any chivalrous duty to his idol of the day--came up to bid her good-night, and held up his rosy mouth, eagerly.
"I--kiss a little child! I!"-- and from her violent laughter she burst into a passion of tears.
The mother signed me to carry Guy away; she and John took Lady Caroline into the parlour, and shut the door.
Of course I did not then learn what passed--but I did afterwards.
Lady Caroline's tears were evanescent, like all her emotions.

Soon she became composed--asked again for writing materials--then countermanded the request.
"No, I will wait till to-morrow.

Ursula, you will take me in for the night ?" Mrs.Halifax looked appealingly to her husband, but he gave no assent.
"Lady Caroline, you should willingly stay, were it not, as you must know, so fatal a step.