Her poor
husband was probably in bed and asleep, his journey having been
long; and she made as little noise as possible in her entry. The
house was just as she had left it, and she looked about in the hall
for his cloak and hat, but she could not see them; nor did she
perceive the small trunk which had been all that he brought with
him, his heavier baggage having been left at Southampton for the
road-waggon. She summoned courage to mount the stairs; the bedroom-
door was open as she had left it. She fearfully peeped round; the
bed had not been pressed. Perhaps he had lain down on the dining-
room sofa. She descended and entered; he was not there. On the
table beside his unsoiled plate lay a note, hastily written on the
leaf of a pocket-book. It was something like this:
'MY EVER-BELOVED WIFE--The effect that my forbidding appearance has
produced upon you was one which I foresaw as quite possible. I
hoped against it, but foolishly so. I was aware that no HUMAN love
could survive such a catastrophe. I confess I thought yours DIVINE;
but, after so long an absence, there could not be left sufficient
warmth to overcome the too natural first aversion. It was an
experiment, and it has failed. I do not blame you; perhaps, even,
it is better so. Good-bye. I leave England for one year. You will
see me again at the expiration of that time, if I live. Then I will
ascertain your true feeling; and, if it be against me, go away for
ever.
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