I never have known!"
He had not expected her to reply, but she did.
"I have tried to do what you want; it's not my fault that I haven't been
able to put my heart into it."
"Whose fault is it, then?" He watched her askance.
"Before we were married you promised to let me go if our marriage was
not a success. Is it a success?"
Soames frowned.
"Success," he stammered--"it would be a success if you behaved yourself
properly!"
"I have tried," said Irene. "Will you let me go?"
Soames turned away. Secretly alarmed, he took refuge in bluster.
"Let you go? You don't know what you're talking about. Let you go? How
can I let you go? We're married, aren't we? Then, what are you talking
about? For God's sake, don't let's have any of this sort of nonsense!
Get your hat on, and come and sit in the Park."
"Then, you won't let me go?"
He felt her eyes resting on him with a strange, touching look.
"Let you go!" he said; "and what on earth would you do with yourself if
I did? You've got no money!"
"I could manage somehow."
He took a swift turn up and down the room; then came and stood before
her.
"Understand," he said, "once and for all, I won't have you say this sort
of thing. Go and get your hat on!"
She did not move.
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