Carroll remembers the
case of our own father. The general would have made a name for
himself in the army; his wife demanded his retirement; he retired,
and his career ended. That was the moment of his decision. It is
very easy to say, in view of that simple statement, that the general
was weak in yielding to his wife, but a consideration of the
circumstances--"
"Why do you say all this?" interrupted Orde.
Gerald raised his hand.
"Believe me, it is necessary, as you will agree when you have heard
me through. Mrs. Bishop was in poor health; the general in poor
financial circumstances. The doctors said the Riviera. Mrs.
Bishop's parents, who were wealthy, furnished the money for her
sojourn in that climate. She could not bear to be separated from
her husband. A refusal to resign then, a refusal to accept the
financial aid offered, would have been cast against him as a
reproach--he did not love his wife enough to sacrifice his pride,
his ambition, his what-you-will. Nevertheless, that was his moment
of decision.
"I could multiply instances, yet it would only accumulate needless
proof. My point is that in these great moments a man can afford to
take into consideration only the affair itself.
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