Rex Stout

“ Bernard hesitated a moment before replying. “Paula, you've said something like this twice before. You know how I've tried—but it's useless. It's purely your imagination. You've discovered somehow that it's bad form to have your dreams come true, and all I can do is wait till you get over it.”
“And last night—was that only my imagination?”
Bernard sighed hopelessly. “Will you never understand? Haven't I told you what my future demands?” Then, in a softer tone, “You know very well it's all for you. In order to succeed in my profession, a man must have friends. ”

“ Popular fiction of the day seems to generally repeat the idea that romance, once it enters the confines of home life, is doomed to early tragedy unless it be blinded by the glamor of acted lies in the guise of beauty, luxury, meaningless conventionalities. ”

“ Further, he knew that Paula herself would find the immediate loss an ultimate benefit; but he also knew that, coming thus suddenly, the blow would be a hard one. It was with such methodical reflection that he met a shock which to most men would have meant keen disappointment, and to some despair.
As he extended his hand to lower the flame in the coffee-lamp, Evans re-entered the room, bearing a loaded tray. Soon after, Paula came in. Bernard crossed the room to greet her, and escorted her to her chair at the table. ”