Chapter 48

Aunt Molly sat very still, her serene eyes on the scudding clouds. “And you let her go like that?” “Yes.” “Why?” “Because,” he told her, “I felt she was like all the rest, and why should I have faith in any woman?” “Don’t be so shallow, Michael.” Her scorn stung him. “I’m not shallow.” “You are, you are!” Her eyes were no longer serene. They were keen, accusing. “To judge a woman like Virginia by a woman like—Helen.” He sat staring at her, but he did not see her. What he saw was his wife, Helen, her cold loveliness…