Edgar Jepson

“ Even Grierson heard her long-drawn, gasping sigh and saw the strain in her face.
“Anything wrong, little woman? Room too hot?” he said affectionately.
She shook her head; and he resumed his discussion of the respective merits of her husband’s shoot and his own.
The whole of her was in her eyes. They devoured the other woman. She had never before seen her; and Grey had told her that she never should see her. But also he had said that if ever she did, she would never be able to accuse him of second-rate love. It was true: the woman was prettier, far prettier than herself ”

“ Now and again Doris writhed; and the pain rose and rose from her heart to her throat. At times for a whole minute a darkness fell on her eyes. That relief alone enabled her to endure.
When the last curtain fell she groaned in her relief that her torture was over.
Grierson was slow; and Grey and the other woman passed up the gangway in front of them. From the vestibule she saw him put her into a taxi and step into it himself. ”

“ It is! You go about with that other woman. Why shouldn’t I go about with Grierson?”
“No, I don’t. I’ve never been alone with her once since I told you I wouldn’t,” he said quietly.
“You saw her on Wednesday week!” she cried.
“In a crowded teashop—for an hour—what was it? I can’t be an utter brute—though you make me want to.”
“She made love to you.”
“No one can make love to me except you, dear angel. It can’t be done—really it can’t. With other women I’m just a block—a bored, insensate, pulseless block.”
As he spoke the set line of his face softened; his eyes softened ”