The Dark House

Book Excerpt: ...father, Christine might hate him, though he knew she didn't, but Edith had no right. She was an outsider--a bounder----"He is faithful to his ideal," Christine answered. "He is always looking for it and thinking he has found it. And except for Constance he has always been mistaken.""Thank you.""I wasn't thinking of you," Christine explained. "There have been so many of them--and all so terribly expensive--never cheap or common----"They were dragging the carpet out into the landing. Their voices sounded louder and more distinct."I could bear almost everything but his temper," Edith persisted breathlessly. "He's like a madman----""He's ill--sometimes I think he's very ill----""Oh, you've always got an excuse for him, Christine. You never see him as he really is. I can't think why you didn't marry him yourself. I'm sure he asked you. Jim couldn't be alone with a woman ten minutes without proposing. And everyone knows how fond you are of him and of that tire...