Edward, with a heart entirely true to his young wife, endeavored to resist
the fascinations of the siren and avoid her when politeness would permit;
and Zoe struggled against her inclination to jealousy, yet Miss Deane
succeeded in the course of a few days in bringing about a slight coldness
between them.
They did not actually quarrel, but there was a cessation of loving looks
and endearing words and names. It was simply Zoe and Edward now instead of
dearest and love and darling, while they rather avoided than sought each
other's society.
Edward was too busy to walk or ride with his wife, and Max and Ralph
Conly, at home now for the Easter holidays and self-invited to Ion, became
the almost constant sharers of her outdoor exercise.
Edward saw it with displeasure, for Ralph was no favorite with him. When
things had gone on in that way for several days, he ventured upon a mild
remonstrance, telling Zoe he would rather she would not make a familiar
associate of Ralph.
"If I am debarred from my husband's society, I'm not to be blamed for
taking what I can get," she answered coldly.
"I don't blame you for what is past, Zoe," he said, "but request that in
future you will not have more to do with Ralph than is quite necessary.
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