t brings out all the worst things in me; you know I
have told you that before, Edwin?'

'But you would never forget that you are my wife?'

'I hope not. But--I can't think of it; I can't face it! That would be
the very worst that can befall us, and we are going to try our utmost to
escape from it. Was there ever a man who did as much as you have done in
literature and then sank into hopeless poverty?'

'Oh, many!'

'But at your age, I mean. Surely not at your age?'

'I'm afraid there have been such poor fellows. Think how often one hears
of hopeful beginnings, new reputations, and then--you hear no more. Of
course it generally means that the man has gone into a different career;
but sometimes, sometimes--'

'What?'

'The abyss.' He pointed downward. 'Penury and despair and a miserable
death.'

'Oh, but those men haven't a wife and child! They would struggle--'

'Darling, they do struggle. But it's as if an ever-increasing weight
were round their necks; it drags them lower and lower. The world has no
pity on a man who can't do or produce something it thinks worth money.
You may be a divine poet, and if some good fellow doesn't take pity on
you you will starve by the roadside. Society is as blind and brutal as
fate. I have no right to complain of my own ill-fortune; it's my own
fault (in a sense) that I can't continue as well as I began; if I could
write books as good as the early ones I should earn money. For all that,
it's hard that I must be kicked aside as worthless just because I don't
know a trade.'

'It shan't be! I have only to look into your face to know that you will
succeed after all. Yours is the kind of face that people come to know in
portraits.'

He kissed her hair, and her eyes, and her mouth.

'How well I remember your saying that before! Why have you grown so good
to me all at once, my Amy? Hearing you speak like that I feel there's
nothing beyond my reach. But I dread to go away from you. If I find that
it is hopeless; if I am alone somewhere, and know that the effort is all
in vain--'

'Then?'

'Well, I can leave you free. If I can't support you, it will be only
just that I should give you back your freedom.'

'I don't understand--'

She raised herself and looked into his eyes.

'We won't talk of that. If you bid me go on with the struggle, I shall
do so.'

Amy had hidden her face, and lay silently in his arms for a minute or
two. Then she murmured:

'It is so cold here, and