eyes of the clergy and
orthodox laity, who have never forgiven me for letting her go. So I may get back
in some degree into my old track.«
    »Well - if you've got any sound reason for marrying her again, do it now in
God's name! I was always against your opening the cage-door and letting the bird
go in such an obviously suicidal way. You might have been a school inspector by
this time, or a reverend, if you hadn't been so weak about her.«
    »I did myself irreparable damage - I know it.«
    »Once you've got her housed again, stick to her.«
    Phillotson was more evasive to-night. He did not care to admit clearly that
his taking Sue to him again had at bottom nothing to do with repentance of
letting her go, but was, primarily, a human instinct flying in the face of
custom and profession. He said, »Yes - I shall do that. I know woman better now.
Whatever justice there was in releasing her, there was little logic, for one
holding my views on other subjects.«
    Gillingham looked at him, and wondered whether it would ever happen that the
reactionary spirit induced by the world's sneers and his own physical wishes
would make Phillotson more orthodoxly cruel to her than he had erstwhile been
informally and perversely kind.
    »I perceive it won't do to give way to impulse« Phillotson resumed, feeling
more and more every minute the necessity of acting up to his position. »I flew
in the face of the Church's teaching; but I did it without malice prepense.
Women are so strange in their influence, that they tempt you to misplaced
kindness. However, I know myself better now. A little judicious severity,
perhaps....«
    »Yes; but you must tighten the reins by degrees only. Don't be too strenuous
at first. She'll come to any terms in time.«
    The caution was unnecessary, though Phillotson did not say so. »I remember
what my vicar at Shaston said, when I left after the row that was made about my
agreeing to her elopement. The only thing you can do to retrieve your position
and hers is to admit your error in not restraining her with a wise and strong
hand, and to get her back again if she'll come, and be firm in the future. But I
was so headstrong at that time that I paid no heed. And that after the divorce
she should have thought