She often says:
"How slow you are! Hurry up, my solemn bride, or we shall never be
ready."
"Ready enough," say I.
To-day I went to Mrs. Rayner, and begged her to approach her
solicitor on the question of obtaining Constance's divorce. My
ignorance of these matters is absolute, yet surely this is possible.
Gabriel once led me to believe she could obtain her divorce without
difficulty.
"But a divorce is so scandalous," said Mrs. Rayner.
"Not so scandalous," I replied, "as what it may prevent."
I believe my words were entirely thrown away, for her blindness is
phenomenal. She is, besides, much too self-absorbed at present to
properly watch Constance; her horizon is obscured by Uncle George's
whiskers. It gives me, even in these days, a grim satisfaction to
see those two preparing millstones for each other's necks.
I shall write to Marianna, telling her to expect me in Florence
shortly. How calm I am! Have I learned my lesson so well? Or is this
calm mere self-deceit? When I have truly learned the lesson, realise
that what I am about to do separates me from both forever, surely I
shall not be alive to go to Florence.
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