CHAPTER XXXI

onthefeelingsofthedead.Theyweremarriedquietly—reallyquietly,forasthedayapproachedsherefusedtogothroughanotherOniton.Herbrothergaveheraway,heraunt,whowasoutofhealth,presidedoverafewcolourlessrefreshments.TheWilcoxeswererepresentedbyCharles,whowitnessedthemarriagesettlement,andbyMr.Cahill.Pauldidsendacablegram.Inafewminutes,andwithouttheaidofmusic,theclergymanmadethemmanandwife,andsoontheglassshadehadfallenthatcutsoffmarriedcouplesfromtheworld.She,amonogamist,regrettedthecessationofsomeoflife’sinnocentodourshe,whoseinstinctswerepolygamous,feltmorallybracedbythechangeandlessliabletothetemptationsthathadassailedhiminthepast. TheyspenttheirhoneymoonnearInnsbruck.Henryknewofareliablehotelthere,andMargarethopedforameetingwithhersister.Inthisshewasdisappointed.Astheycamesouth,HelenretreatedovertheBrenner,andwroteanunsatisfactorypost-cardfromtheshoresoftheLakeofGarda,sayingthatherplanswereuncertainandhadbetterbeignored.EvidentlyshedislikedmeetingHenry.Twomonthsaresurelyenoughtoaccustomanoutsidertoasituationwhichawifehasacceptedintwodays,andMargarethadagaintoregrethersister’slackofself-control.InalonglettershepointedouttheneedofcharityinsexualmatterssolittleisknownaboutthemitishardenoughforthosewhoarepersonallytouchedtojudgethenhowfutilemustbetheverdictofSociety.“Idon’tsaythereisnostandard,forthatwoulddestroymoralityonlythattherecanbenostandarduntilourimpulsesareclassifiedandbetterunderstood.”Helenthankedherforherkindletter—ratheracuriousreply.Shemovedsouthagain,andspokeofwinteringinNaples. Mr.Wilcoxwasnotsorrythatthemeetingfailed.Helenlefthimtimetogrowskinoverhiswound.Therewerestillmomentswhenitpainedhim.HadheonlyknownthatMargaretwasawaitinghim—Margaret,solivelyandintelligent,andyetsosubmissive—hewouldhavekepthimselfworthierofher.Inc