served—served by controlling her for herself. His moral mastery was greater even than his physical mastery.
As she felt the futility of her efforts, she relaxed them inevitably, and instantly he relaxed the power of his grip. She relaxed more, and he relaxed more, second by second, until she stood entirely unresisting with her hands in his. And all the while this gradation in physical submission had been taking place, his expression had been growing kinder, more considerate, and more sorrowful.
A nervous tremor, preliminary to a great revulsion, passed over her. He felt it—interpreted it. His hands opened, and she was free—to strike him—to tear him—to fly, but she wanted to do neither. With a welling sob she flung her arms high and closed them around her husband's neck in a convulsive clasp of affection and impetuous desire to remain beached and comforted upon that breast forever.
