Chapter 6

           Thatevening,afterMr.Jacksonhadtakenhimselfaway,andtheladieshadretiredtotheirchintz-curtainedbedroom,NewlandArchermountedthoughtfullytohisownstudy.Avigilanthandhad,asusual,keptthefirealiveandthelamptrimmed;andtheroom,withitsrowsandrowsofbooks,itsbronzeandsteelstatuettesof"TheFencers"onthemantelpieceanditsmanyphotographsoffamouspictures,lookedsingularlyhome-likeandwelcoming.AshedroppedintohisarmchairnearthefirehiseyesrestedonalargephotographofMayWelland,whichtheyounggirlhadgivenhiminthefirstdaysoftheirromance,andwhichhadnowdisplacedalltheotherportraitsonthetable.Withanewsenseofawehelookedatthefrankforehead,seriouseyesandgayinnocentmouthoftheyoungcreaturewhosesoul’scustodianhewastobe.Thatterrifyingproductofthesocialsystemhebelongedtoandbelievedin,theyounggirlwhoknewnothingandexpectedeverything,lookedbackathimlikeastrangerthroughMayWelland’sfamiliarfeatures;andoncemoreitwasborneinonhimthatmarriagewasnotthesafeanchoragehehadbeentaughttothink,butavoyageonunchartedseas.ThecaseoftheCountessOlenskahadstirredupoldsettledconvictionsandsetthemdriftingdangerouslythroughhismind.Hisownexclamation:"Womenshouldbefree—asfreeasweare,"strucktotherootofaproblemthatitwasagreedinhisworldtoregardasnon-existent.