this, that I lay my positive order upon you, that you shall not
see Colonel Osborne again. You do not know it, perhaps, but you are
already forfeiting your reputation as an honest woman, and bringing
disgrace upon me by your familiarity with Colonel Osborne.'

'Oh, Louis, do not say that!' said Nora.

'You had better let him speak it all at once,' said Emily.

'I have said what I have got to say. It is now only necessary that
you should give me your solemn assurance that you will obey me.'

'If you have said all that you have to say, perhaps you will listen
to me,' said his wife.

'I will listen to nothing till you have given me your promise.'
'Then I certainly shall not give it you.'

'Dear Emily, pray, pray do what he tells you,' said Nora.

'She has yet to learn that it is her duty to do as I tell her,'
said Trevelyan. 'And because she is obstinate, and will not learn
from those who know better than herself what a woman may do, and
what she may not, she will ruin herself, and destroy my happiness.'

'I know that you have destroyed my happiness by your unreasonable
jealousy,' said the wife. 'Have you considered what I must feel
in having such words addressed to me by my husband? If I am fit
to be told that I must promise not to see any man living, I cannot
be fit to be any man's wife.' Then she burst out into an hysterical