also a superimposed flush of excitement. 'I felt that I must call to at least ask how you are. I assure you I had not been thinking of you at all till I saw you that Sunday; now I cannot get rid of your image, try how I may! It is hard that a good woman should do harm to a bad man; yet so it is. If you would only pray for me, Tess!'
The suppressed distraction of his manner was almost pitiable, and yet Tess did not pity him.
'How can I pray for you,' she said, 'when I am forbidden to believe that the great Power who moves the world would alter His plans on my account?'
'You really think that?'
'Yes. I have been cured of the presumption of thinking otherwise.
'Cured? By whom?'
'By my husband, if I must tell.'
'Ah—your husband—your husband! How strange it seems! I remember you hinted something of the sort the other day. What do you really believe in these matters, Tess?' he asked. 'You seem to have no religion—perhaps owing to me.
