Edith Wharton

“ I don't believe Undine cares a straw for 'the appearance of respectability.' What she wants is the money for her annulment."
Ralph uttered an incredulous exclamation. "But don't you see?" she hurried on. "It's her only hope--her last chance. She's much too clever to burden herself with the child merely to annoy you. What she wants is to make you buy him back from her." ”

“ Why not give the money to Undine instead of to your lawyers?"
Ralph looked at her in surprise, and she continued: "Why do you suppose she's suddenly made up her mind she must have Paul?"
"That's comprehensible enough to any one who knows her. She wants him because he'll give her the appearance of respectability. Having him with her will prove, as no mere assertions can, that all the rights are on her side and the 'wrongs' on mine." ”

“ Spragg, after considerable deliberation, agreed, pending farther negotiations between the opposing lawyers, to undertake that no attempt should be made to remove Paul from his father's custody. Nevertheless, he seemed to think it quite natural that Undine, on the point of making a marriage which would put it in her power to give her child a suitable home, should assert her claim on him. It was more disconcerting to Ralph to learn that Mrs. Spragg, for once departing from her attitude of passive impartiality, had eagerly abetted her daughter's move ”