CHAPTER XXIII. THE PARK

adthelifeofanun,lestIshoulddishonourhimorbringhimtoruinasifhehadnotbeententimesworseeveryway,withhisbetting-book,andhisgaming-table,andhisopera-girls,andhisLadyThisandMrs.That—yes,andhisbottlesofwine,andglassesofbrandy-and-watertoo!Oh,IwouldgivetenthousandworldstobeMissMurrayagain!Itistoobadtofeellife,health,andbeautywastingaway,unfeltandunenjoyed,forsuchabruteasthat!”exclaimedshe,fairlyburstingintotearsinthebitternessofhervexation. Ofcourse,Ipitiedherexceedinglyaswellforherfalseideaofhappinessanddisregardofduty,asforthewretchedpartnerwithwhomherfatewaslinked.IsaidwhatIcouldtocomforther,andofferedsuchcounselsasIthoughtshemostrequired:advisingher,first,bygentlereasoning,bykindness,example,andpersuasion,totrytoameliorateherhusbandandthen,whenshehaddoneallshecould,ifshestillfoundhimincorrigible,toendeavourtoabstractherselffromhim—towrapherselfupinherownintegrity,andtroubleherselfaslittleabouthimaspossible.IexhortedhertoseekconsolationindoingherdutytoGodandman,toputhertrustinHeaven,andsolaceherselfwiththecareandnurtureofherlittledaughterassuringhershewouldbeamplyrewardedbywitnessingitsprogressinstrengthandwisdom,andreceivingitsgenuineaffection. “ButIcan’tdevotemyselfentirelytoachild,”saidshe“itmaydie—whichisnotatallimprobable.” “But,wit