was beginning to feel that her affairs were her own.  George, Jr., flourished about as if he were a man entirely and must needs have private matters.  All this Hurstwood could see, and it left a trace of feeling, for he was used to being considered—­in his official position, at least—­and felt that his importance should not begin to wane here.  To darken it all, he saw the same indifference and independence growing in his wife, while he looked on and paid the bills.

He consoled himself with the thought, however, that, after all, he was not without affection.  Things might go as they would at his house, but he had Carrie outside of it.  With his mind’s eye he looked into her comfortable room in Ogden Place, where he had spent several such delightful evenings, and thought how charming it would be when Drouet was disposed of entirely and she was waiting evenings in cozy little quarters for him.  That no cause would come up whereby Drouet would be led to inform Carrie concerning his married state, he felt hopeful.  Things were going so smoothly that he believed they would not change.  Shortly now he would persuade Carrie and all would be satisfactory.

The day after their theatre visit he began writing her regularly-a letter every morning, and begging her to do as much for him.  He was not literary by any means, but experience of the world and his growing affection gave him somewhat of a style.  This he exercised at his office desk with perfect deliberation.  He purchased a box of delicately colored and scented writing paper in monogram, which he kept locked in one of the drawers.  His friends now wondered at the cleric and very official-looking nature of his position.  The five bartenders viewed with respect the duties which could call a man to do so much desk-work and penmanship.

Hurstwood surprised himself with his fluency.  By the natural law which governs all effort, what he wrote reacted upon him.  He began to feel those subtleties which he could find words to express.  With every expression came increased conception.  Those inmost breathings which there found words took hold upon him.  He thought Carrie worthy of all the affection he could there express.

Carrie was indeed worth loving if ever youth and grace are to command that token of acknowledgment from life in their bloom.  Experience had not yet taken away that freshness of the spirit which is the charm of the body.  Her soft eyes contained in their liquid luster no suggestion of the knowledge of disappointment.  She had been troubled in a way by doubt and longing, but these had made no deeper impression than could be traced in a certain open wistfulness of glance and speech.  The mouth had the expression at times, in talking and in repose, of one who might be upon the verge of tears.  It was not that grief was thus ever present.  The pronunciation of certain syllables gave to her lips this peculiarity of formation—­a formation as suggestive and moving as pathos itself.