"You
have requested it often enough, and I sincerely regret that I have opposed
you until now." And he added without a trace of malice: "You must forgive
me for having interfered with your wishes so long."
She grew attentive at once.
"I don't know what you mean," she said a trifle haughtily.
He did not care about that and did not answer. Hadn't she spoken about a
divorce time and time again? Hadn't he put her off? Perfectly composed, he
opened his coat and took out his pocket calendar, in which he proceeded to
make an entry.
She could not help being impressed by this quiet superiority, which she
never before had noticed in him; she happened to say:
"I think you have changed greatly."
"Oh, well, one gets a little grey, but--"
"No, you misunderstand me!" she interrupted.
Tidemand said slowly and looked straight into her eyes:
"I wish to God you had understood me as well as I have you, Hanka!
Perhaps, then, this would not have become necessary." He buttoned his coat
as if preparing to leave, and added: "Now, in regard to the money--"
"Yes, dear, here is the money!" she said, and wanted to give him back the
bill.
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