Guy Wetmore Carryl

“ I don’t suppose, Jeremy Carnby, that a Paris cocotte affects the company of a rich young American for the sake of his beaux yeux. I don’t suppose that a good-looking boy in his twenties affects the company of Mirabelle Tremonceau for the pleasures of her conversation. I don’t suppose that the loveliest and purest girl on earth is going to survey with emotion the unspeakable folly of the man she cares for. And I don’t suppose the man she cares for is likely to be any different from the majority of men, who decide upon marriage principally because they’re tired of the other thing. ”

“ The little touches of endearment and sympathy with which women often fill the place of words, passed between them, but too often these negative interpreters of their hidden thoughts caused the girl’s eyes to fill. At Mrs. Carnby’s earnest entreaty, she prolonged her visit, and was glad of the seclusion of the villa, the long idle days, the evenings at billiards or backgammon with Jeremy, and the still warm nights when, through sleepless hours, reverie had free rein. Curiously enough, and despite Andrew’s neglect of her, her former tenderness for him returned and grew. ”

“ I can’t criticise you for doing as you think right, if only you’re acting on the truth; but the truth you must have! At present you’re depending upon a lot of hearsay, upon the criminally thoughtless cynicism of a gossipy old woman, and on your own rash conclusions. My dear girl, you know I love you — love you better than anything in the world, except Jeremy? Well, then, do this for me.”
“Very well,” answered Margery wearily, “but it’s no use, Mrs. Carnby.”
That morning she telegraphed Andrew to come back to her — and there was no reply. ”