Chapter XIV

sendforMissGlovertocomeandplaywithyou?” Anewideasuddenlycametohim(theycameatsufficientlyrareintervalsnottospoilhisequanimity),buttheabsurdityofitmadehimlaugh. “Surelyyou’renotjealousofher,Bertha?” “I?”beganBertha,withtremendousscorn,andthenchanginghermind:“Youprefertoplaywithherthantoplaywithme.” Hewiselyignoredpartofthecharge.“Lookatherandlookatyourself.DoyouthinkIcouldpreferhertoyou?” “Ithinkyou’refoolenough.” ThewordsslippedoutofBertha’smouthalmostbeforesheknewshehadsaidthem,andthebitter,scornfultoneaddedtotheirviolence.Theyfrightenedher,andturningverywhite,sheglancedatherhusband. “Oh,Ididn’tmeantosaythat,Eddie.” Fearingnowthatshehadreallywoundedhim,Berthawasentirelysorryshewouldhavegivenanythingforthewordstobeunsaid.Edwardwasturningoverthepagesofabook,lookingatitlistlessly.Shewentuptohim. “Ihaven’toffendedyou,haveI,Eddie?Ididn’tmeantosaythat.” Sheputherarminhishedidnotanswer. “Don’tbeangrywithme,”shefalteredagain,andthenbreakingdown,buriedherfaceinhisbosom.“Ididn’tmeanwhatIsaid—Ilostcommandovermyself.Youdon’tknowhowyouhumiliatedmetheotherday.Ihaven’tbeenabletosleepatnight,thinkingofit....Kissme.” Heturnedhisfaceaway,butshewouldnotlethimgoatlastshefoundhislips. “Sayyou’renotangrywithme.” “I’mnotangrywithyou.” “Oh,Iwantyourlovesomuch,Eddie,”shemurmured.“Nowmorethanever....I’mgoingtohaveachild.” Theninreplytohisastonishedexclamation— “Iwasn’tcertaintillto-day....Oh,Eddie,I’msoglad.Ithinkit’swhatIwantedtomakemehappy.” “I’mgladtoo,”hesaid. “Butyouwillbekindtome,Eddie—andnotmindifI’mfretfulandbadtempered.YouknowIcan’thelpit,andI’malwayssorryafterwards.” Hekissedheraspassionatelyashiscoldnatureallowed,andpeacereturnedtoBertha’stormentedheart. Berthahadintendedaslongaspossibletomakeasecretofhernewsitwasacomfortinherdistress,andabulwarkagainstherincreasingdisillusionment.Shewasunabletoreconcileherselftothediscovery,seenasyetdimly,thatEdward’scoldtemperamentcouldnotsatisfyherardentpassions:lovetoherwasaburningfire,aflamethatabsorbedtherestoflifelovetohimwasaconvenientandnecessaryinstitutionofProvidence,amatteraboutwhichtherewasaslittleneedforexcitementasabouttheorderingofasuitofclothes.Bertha’sintensedevotionforawhilehadobscuredherhusband’scoolness,andshewouldnotseethathistemperamentwastoblame.Sheaccusedhimofnotlovingher,andaskedherselfdistractedlyhowtogainhisaffectionherpridewashumiliatedbecauseherlovewassomuchgreaterthanhis.Forsixmonthsshehadlovedhimblindl