Men and Wives by Ivy Compton-Burnett Page A

dishonour is the end of my only child!”
    â€œThe public part won’t take long,” said Camilla. “The case against me will be too plain for that. And it is not the end, my poor mother; you let your hopes run wild.”
    â€œI don’t dare to think what your father would have said.”
    â€œI don’t know why, as he can’t say it.”
    â€œBeing actually divorced yourself!” said Mrs. Christy, brought to the final word.
    â€œWell, she need never be that again,” said Dufferin. “I have learnt the art, and if there is any more need of it, I will fall back on my acquirement.”
    â€œI don’t know what people will say about her, or about you, or about any of it.”
    â€œI do. But it won’t hurt any of us.”
    â€œYou are not right. It will hurt you,” said Mrs. Christy. “It is not true at all that that sort of thing does no harm to people.”
    â€œNo. I have found that it does harm,” said Dufferin. “Even Bellamy won’t escape. It takes two to make a quarrel, when of course it does not. And a man should take everything upon himself, when there isn’t anything for Bellamy to take.”
    â€œThere is always enough for a man to take,” said Camilla. “You know you have already taken it once. I shall soon be living with a man. I am all the woman that is necessary.”
    â€œA good definition,” said Dufferin. “But doing a thing may make a man see the point of view of another who won’t do it. Why shouldn’t this one appear simply as he is? That is all he asks to do.”
    Bellamy stepped impressively into sight.
    â€œWell, pretty good for a listener,” said Camilla.
    â€œI repudiate that word,” said Bellamy.
    â€œYes, yes, you have every right to,” said Dufferin. “She only meant that you overheard, and you don’t deny you did that. Why that face of tragedy? We are doing all you want for you.”
    â€œI cannot forget my eleven years of spoiled life.”
    â€œWell, try to forget them, and don’t spoil another minute. And I have nothing to do with ten and a half of those years. I have only known Camilla for seven months. I have done no harm to you.”
    â€œYou could not know that,” said Bellamy.
    â€œOf course I knew it. Camilla was as clear about things as you were. It wasn’t a case of the one in heaven and the other somewhere else. It can’t be very often.”
    â€œWell, this isn’t leading us anywhere,” said Camilla. “Mother, I had better get home before my partners for life have quarrelled about me too bitterly to bear me company for an hour. There are still some things to arrange in my present consort’s house. And if I walk in the dusk alone, there may be further trouble; and the impression seems to be that I am giving enough. Which of your sons-in-law will you spare me as a protector? I leave the choice to you, as you seem to have an equal regard for them. I may be prejudiced in my judgment.”
    â€œI have to go home,” said Bellamy. “We need not set the scandal on foot before the moment comes for it.”
    â€œWe will defer people’s satisfaction as long as we can,” said Camilla. “I don’t want to add to the pleasures of your flock. I have given them too much flannel and soup for them to deserve any more at my hands. Oh, yes, you paid for it, but I shall be paying for this. So honours areeasy. I think I get the more expensive share. So I am to walk for the last time with you as your life-companion. Do you remember the first time? I have entirely forgotten it. Ernest, don’t scowl at me like that; don’t dare to. I have told you my nerves won’t stand it. If we are to keep the peace until the truth is known, you must make my side of it possible. I can’t be confronted with self-pity and self-righteousness and self-everything else.”
    â€œGood-bye, Mrs.