“No; but that would not be the effect of an explanation, because the truth is not likely to reconcile us.  If I were to explain the difficulty to a man, he would argue.  But Marian would just infer that I despised her, and nothing else.”

“Oh no!  Oh dear no!  A few kind words; an appeal to her good sense; a little concession on both sides——­”

“All excellent for a pair estranged by a flash of temper, or a mother-in-law, or a trifle of jealousy, or too many evenings spent at the club on the man’s part, or too many dances with a gallant on the woman’s; but no good for us.  We have never exchanged unkind words:  there are no concessions to be made:  her good sense is not at fault.  Besides, these few kind words that are supposed to be such a sovereign remedy for all sorts of domestic understandings are generally a few kind fibs.  If I told them, Marian wouldnt believe them.  Fibs dont make lasting truces either.  No:  the situation is graver than you think.  Just suppose, for instance, that you undertake to restore harmony, as you call it! what will you say to her?”

“Well, it would depend on circumstances.”

“But you know the circumstances on which it depends.  How would you begin?”

“There are little ways of approaching delicate subjects with women.  For instance, I might say, casually, that it was a pity that a pair so happily situated as you two should not agree perfectly.”

“You would get no further; for Marian would never admit that we do not agree.  She does not know what her complaint is, and therefore feels bound in honor to maintain that she has nothing to complain of.  She is not the woman to cast reproach on me for a discontent she cannot explain.  Or, if she could explain it, how much wiser should you be? I have explained; and you confess you cannot understand me.  The difference between us is neither her fault nor mine; and all the explanations in the world will not remove it.”

“If you would allow me to appeal to her religious duty——­”

“Religion!  She doesnt believe in it.”

“What!” exclaimed the clergyman, unaffectedly shocked.  “Surely, surely——­”

“Listen.  To me, believing in a doctrine doesnt mean holding up your hand and saying, ‘Credo.’  It means habitually acting on the assumption that the doctrine is true.  Marian thinks it wrong not to go to church; and she will hold up her hand and cry ‘Credo’ to the immortality of her soul, or to any verse in the New Testament.  The shareholders of our concern in the city will do the same.  But do they or she ever act on the assumption that they are immortal, or that riches are dross, or that class prejudice is damnable?  Never.  They dont believe it.  You will find that Marian has been thoroughly trained to separate her practice from her religious professions; and if you allude to the inconsistency she will instinctively feel that you are offending against good taste.  In short,