Over the seat of the chair Tess's face was bowed, her
posture being a kneeling one in front of it; her hands were clasped
over her head, the skirts of her dressing-gown and the embroidery of
her night-gown flowed upon the floor behind her, and her stockingless
feet, from which the slippers had fallen, protruded upon the carpet.
It was from her lips that came the murmur of unspeakable despair.
Then a man's voice from the adjoining bedroom--
"What's the matter?"
She did not answer, but went on, in a tone which was a soliloquy
rather than an exclamation, and a dirge rather than a soliloquy.
Mrs Brooks could only catch a portion:
"And then my dear, dear husband came home to me ... and I did not
know it! ... And you had used your cruel persuasion upon me ... you
did not stop using it--no--you did not stop! My little sisters and
brothers and my mother's needs--they were the things you moved me
by ... and you said my husband would never come back--never; and you
taunted me, and said what a simpleton I was to expect him! ... And
at last I believed you and gave way! ... And then he came back!
Now he is gone. Gone a second time, and I have lost him now
for ever ... and he will not love me the littlest bit ever any
more--only hate me! .
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