SHEWING HOW THE QUARREL PROGRESSED


Trevelyan got back to his own house at about three, and on going
into the library, found on his table a letter to him addressed in
his wife's handwriting. He opened it quickly, hoping to find that
promise which he had demanded, and resolving that if it were made
he would at once become affectionate, yielding, and gentle to his
wife. But there was not a word written by his wife within the envelope.
It contained simply another letter, already opened, addressed to
her. This letter had been brought up to her during her husband's
absence from the house, and was as follows:

Acrobats, Thursday.

'DEAR EMILY,

'I have just come from the Colonial Office. It is all settled, and
Sir M. has been sent for. Of course, you will tell T. now. Yours,
F.O.

The letter was, of course, from Colonel Osborne, and Mrs Trevelyan,
when she received it, had had great doubts whether she would enclose
it to her husband opened or unopened. She had hitherto refused to
make the promise which her husband exacted, but nevertheless, she
was minded to obey him; Had he included in his demand any requirement
that she should receive no letter from Colonel Osborne, she would
not have opened this one. But nothing had been said about letters,
and she would not shew herself to be afraid. So she read the note,
and then sent it down to be put on Mr Trevelyan's table in an