A scene of wrangling followed, without violence, but of the kind
which is at once a cause and an effect of demoralisation. The old
disagreements between them had been in another tone, at all events
on Richard's side, for they had arisen from his earnest disapproval
of frivolities and the like. Richard could no longer speak in that
way. To lose the power of honest reproof in consequence of a moral
lapse is to any man a wide-reaching calamity; to a man of Mutimer's
calibre it meant disaster of which the end could not be foreseen.
Of course Alice yielded; her affection and Richard's superior force
always made it a foregone result that she should do so.
'And you won't come and see mother?' she asked.
'No. She's behaving foolishly.'
'It's precious dull at home, I can tell you. I can't go on much
longer without friends of some kind. I've a good mind to marry Mr.
Keene, just for a change.'
Richard started up, with his fist on the table.
'Do you mean to say he's been talking to you in that way?' he cried
angrily.
Alice had spoken with thoughtless petulance. She hastened eagerly to
correct her error.
'As if I meant it! Don't be stupid, Dick. Of course he hasn't said a
word; I believe he's engaged to somebody; I thought so from
something he said a little while ago.
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