 perfection of the young man's
boots and trousers.
    »That depends entirely on my wife herself,« he replied mechanically.
    »How so?«
    »I offer her the best home I can.«
    Reardon felt himself a poor, pitiful creature, and hated the well-dressed
man who made him feel so.
    »But really, Reardon,« began the other, uncrossing and recrossing his legs,
»do you tell me in seriousness that you expect Amy to live in such lodgings as
you can afford on a pound a week?«
    »I don't. I said that I had offered her the best home I could. I know it's
impossible, of course.«
    Either he must speak thus, or break into senseless wrath. It was hard to
hold back the angry words that were on his lips, but he succeeded, and he was
glad he had done so.
    »Then it doesn't depend on Amy,« said John.
    »I suppose not.«
    »You see no reason, then, why she shouldn't live as at present for an
indefinite time?«
    To John, whose perspicacity was not remarkable, Reardon's changed tone
conveyed simply an impression of bland impudence. He eyed his brother-in-law
rather haughtily.
    »I can only say,« returned the other, who was become wearily indifferent,
»that as soon as I can afford a decent home I shall give my wife the opportunity
of returning to me.«
    »But, pray, when is that likely to be?«
    John had passed the bounds; his manner was too frankly contemptuous.
    »I see no right you have to examine me in this fashion,« Reardon exclaimed.
»With Mrs Yule I should have done my best to be patient if she had asked these
questions; but you are not justified in putting them, at all events not in this
way.«
    »I'm very sorry you speak like this, Reardon,« said the other, with calm
insolence. »It confirms unpleasant ideas, you know.«
    »What do you mean?«
    »Why, one can't help thinking that you are rather too much at your ease
under the circumstances. It isn't exactly an everyday thing, you know, for a
man's wife to be sent back to her own people -«
    Reardon could not endure the sound of these words. He interrupted hotly.
    »I can't discuss it with you. You are utterly unable to comprehend me and my
position,
