– What luck! – Jeremy replied mockingly.
Vivian remained silent.
After that brief conversation, neither spouse said a word all the way to Wington Hall.
When the carriage pulled up to the front door, Vivian left it in a hurry and went into the house and went up to her and Jeremy's bedroom with quick steps, and did not leave it, not even for dinner. The girl had lost all appetite, and only waited impatiently for her husband to come into the bedroom to discuss with her again the accusations she had thrown in his face.
"I will not raise my voice and I will be calm. We will talk like rational beings, not like animals living only on instinct. He loves me and I'm sure I can convey to him what he makes me suffer" decided Mrs. Wington.
After Jane had changed her into her nightdress and unbraided her high hair, Vivian sent the maid to rest, and sitting down at the dressing-table, began to comb her long fiery hair with a thick brush. Her body and soul were tense, and her mind tried to catch the sound of footsteps approaching the bedroom.
And soon she heard them.
– You did not wish to dine with me," was the first thing her husband said as he entered the bedroom and approached her.
– I don't feel well. You were right: it seems that this evil wind has brought me a cold after all," Vivian replied in an even tone.
– That's a pity. But let's continue our conversation, my love," Jeremy said in a quiet, ingratiating tone.
Vivian shifted her gaze from her reflection in the mirror to her husband's. Her emerald eyes opened wide. Her breathing quickened.
Jeremy stood behind her, a few feet away from her, a long, thin whip resting on his open palms.
– Are you going out again? This late? – Praying in her heart that he would answer yes, Vivian asked. She wanted her voice to be calm, but she couldn't contain the fear coursing through her soul.
"Lord, almighty, good, just! Save me from his wrath! He will beat me to death!" – The thought sent icy goosebumps running down the girl's body.
– Oh, is that what you mean? – Jeremy tinkled the whip against his palm as if demonstrating his abilities.
– Why did you bring the whip with you, my love? – Vivian put the brush in the top drawer of the dressing table and wanted to get to her feet, but the stern "Sidi" thrown by her husband made her stay in her seat and continue to stare at Jeremy's reflection in the mirror.