 wish you to be without money. And surely these
odious tradesmen might be made to understand that, and to wait, if you would
make proper representations to them.«
    »This is idle, Rosamond,« said Lydgate, angrily. »You must learn to take my
judgment on questions you don't understand. I have made necessary arrangements,
and they must be carried out. As to friends, I have no expectations whatever
from them, and shall not ask them for anything.«
    Rosamond sat perfectly still. The thought in her mind was that if she had
known how Lydgate would behave, she would never have married him.
    »We have no time to waste now on unnecessary words, dear,« said Lydgate,
trying to be gentle again. »There are some details that I want to consider with
you. Dover says he will take a good deal of the plate back again, and any of the
jewellery we like. He really behaves very well.«
    »Are we to go without spoons and forks then?« said Rosamond, whose very lips
seemed to get thinner with the thinness of her utterance. She was determined to
make no further resistance or suggestions.
    »Oh no, dear!« said Lydgate. »But look here,« he continued, drawing a paper
from his pocket and opening it; »here is Dover's account. See, I have marked a
number of articles, which if we returned them would reduce the amount by thirty
pounds and more. I have not marked any of the jewellery.« Lydgate had really
felt this point of the jewellery very bitter to himself; but he had overcome the
feeling by severe argument. He could not propose to Rosamond that she should
return any particular present of his, but he had told himself that he was bound
to put Dover's offer before her, and her inward prompting might make the affair
easy.
    »It is useless for me to look, Tertius,« said Rosamond, calmly; »you will
return what you please.« She would not turn her eyes on the paper, and Lydgate,
flushing up to the roots of his hair, drew it back and let it fall on his knee.
Meanwhile Rosamond quietly went out of the room, leaving Lydgate helpless and
wondering. Was she not coming back? It seemed that she had no more identified
herself with him than if they had been creatures of different species and
opposing interests. He tossed his head and thrust his hands deep into his
pockets with a sort of vengeance. There was still science - there were still
