 way, but if they are
respectable, people trust them. I am sure I have heard papa say that the Torbits
were in debt, and they went on very well. It cannot be good to act rashly,« said
Rosamond, with serene wisdom.
    Lydgate sat paralysed by opposing impulses: since no reasoning he could
apply to Rosamond seemed likely to conquer her assent, he wanted to smash and
grind some object on which he could at least produce an impression, or else to
tell her brutally that he was master, and she must obey. But he not only dreaded
the effect of such extremities on their mutual life - he had a growing dread of
Rosamond's quiet elusive obstinacy, which would not allow any assertion of power
to be final; and again, she had touched him in a spot of keenest feeling by
implying that she had been deluded with a false vision of happiness in marrying
him. As to saying that he was master, it was not the fact. The very resolution
to which he had wrought himself by dint of logic and honourable pride was
beginning to relax under her torpedo contact. He swallowed half his cup of
coffee, and then rose to go.
    »I may at least request that you will not go to Trumbull at present - until
it has been seen that there are no other means,« said Rosamond. Although she was
not subject to much fear, she felt it safer not to betray that she had written
to Sir Godwin. »Promise me that you will not go to him for a few weeks, or
without telling me.«
    Lydgate gave a short laugh. »I think it is I who should exact a promise that
you will do nothing without telling me,« he said, turning his eyes sharply upon
her, and then moving to the door.
    »You remember that we are going to dine at papa's,« said Rosamond, wishing
that he should turn and make a more thorough concession to her. But he only said
»Oh yes,« impatiently, and went away. She held it to be very odious in him that
he did not think the painful propositions he had had to make to her were enough,
without showing so unpleasant a temper. And when she put the moderate request
that he would defer going to Trumbull again, it was cruel in him not to assure
her of what he meant to do. She was convinced of her having acted in every way
for the best; and each grating or angry speech of Lydgate's served only as an
addition to the register of offences in her mind
