Mrs. Tremain Page #4

"Mrs. Tremain" by Robert Barr is a captivating novella that explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. Set in a Victorian context, the story follows the titular character, Mrs. Tremain, as she navigates her life amid societal expectations and personal desires. Through rich characterization and a nuanced portrayal of emotional struggles, Barr delves into the intricacies of her experiences, ultimately revealing deeper insights into the human condition. With a blend of wit and poignancy, the novella offers a thought-provoking look at the challenges faced by women in a restrictive society.

• Travel

								


Young Howard made haste to place the shawl on her shoulders, which she
arranged around herself in a very coquettish and charming way. Then she
took her husband’s arm.

“Good night,” she said to me; “good night, and thanks, Mr. Howard.”

“Good night,” said the captain; “I will tell you more about that mine
to-morrow.”

We watched them disappear towards the companion-way. I drew young
Howard towards the side of the boat.

“What happened?” I asked eagerly. “Did you have trouble?”

“Very nearly, I made a slip of the tongue. I called her Mrs.
Glendenning.”

“You called her what?”

“I said, ‘Mrs. Glendenning, your husband is looking for you.’ I had
come right up behind them, and they hadn’t heard me, and of course both
were very much startled. Glendenning turned round and shouted, ‘What do
you mean by that, you scoundrel?’ and caught me by the throat. She
instantly sprang between us, pushing him toward the stern of the boat,
and me against the wheelhouse. “‘Hush, hush,’ she whispered; ‘you mean,
Mr. Howard, that my husband is there, do you not?’

“‘Yes,’ I answered, ‘and he will be here in a moment unless you come
with me.’ With that she said ‘Good night, Mr. Glendenning,’ and took my
arm, and he, like a thief, slunk away round the other side of the
wheelhouse. I was very much agitated. I suppose I acted like a fool
when we met the captain, didn’t I?”

“You did,” I answered; “go on.”

“Well, Mrs. Tremain saw that, and she laughed at me, although I could
see she was rather disturbed herself.”

Some time that night we touched at Queenstown, and next evening we were
in Liverpool. When the inevitable explosion came, I have no means of
knowing, and this, as I have said before, is a story without a
conclusion.

Mrs. Tremain the next day was as bright and jolly as ever, and the last
time I saw her, she was smiling over her shoulder at Glendenning, and
not paying the slightest attention to either her husband on whose arm
she hung, or to young Howard, who was hovering near.
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