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Hichens, Robert Smythe, 1864-1950

"A Spirit in Prison"

The one went with the other almost as
inevitably as the wave goes with the wind.
In their discussion about the emotion of the heart Artois had spoken
the truth to Hermione. As he had grown older he had felt the influence
of women less. The pleasures of sentiment had been gradually
superceded in his nature--or so at least he honestly believed--by the
purely intellectual pleasures. More and more completely and
contentedly had he lived in his work, and in the life of preparation
for it. This life could never be narrow, for Artois was a traveller,
and studied many lands.
In the years that had elapsed since the tragedy in Sicily, when the
husband of Hermione had met his death suddenly in the sea, almost in
sight of the home of the girl he had betrayed, the fame of Artois had
grown steadily. And he was jealous of his fame almost as a good woman
is jealous of her honor. This jealousy had led him to a certain
selfishness of which he was quite aware--even to a certain hardness
such as he had hinted to Hermione.


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