Married Life | Page 4

go to the Philharmonic to-night, and you come home
with tickets for the theatre! But I can tell you plainly that I am not
going to see Fanny Ellsler, and that I am going to the Philharmonic."
This was taking a stand that I had never taken before. In most of my
efforts to make my husband go my way, he had succeeded in making
me go his way. This always chafed me dreadfully. I fretted and scolded,
and "all that sort of thing," but it was no use, I could not manage him.
The direct issue of "I won't" and "I will" had not yet been made, and I
was some time in coming to the resolution to have a struggle, fiercer
than ever, for the ascendency. I fondly believed that for peace' sake he
would not stand firm if he saw me resolute. Under this view of the case,

I made the open averment that I would not go to the theatre. I expected
that a scene would follow, but I was mistaken. Mr. Smith did, indeed,
open his eyes a little wider, but he said nothing.
Just then the bell announced that dinner was on the table. Mr. Smith
arose and led the way to the dinner-room with a firm step. Before we
were married he wouldn't have dreamed of thus preceding me! I was
fretted at this little act. It indicated too plainly what was in the man.
Dinner passed in silence. I forced myself to eat, that I might appear
unconcerned. On rising from the table, Mr. Smith left the house without
saying a word.
You may suppose I didn't feel very comfortable during the afternoon. I
had taken my stand, and my intention was to maintain it to the last.
That Mr. Smith would yield I had no doubt at first. But, as evening
approached, and the trial-time drew near, I had some misgivings.
Mr. Smith came home early.
"Mary," said he, in his usual pleasant way, "I have ordered a carriage to
be here at half-past seven. We mustn't leave home later, as the curtain
rises at eight."
"What curtain rises? Where do you think of going?"
"To see Fanny Ellsler, of course. I mentioned to you at dinner-time that
I had tickets."
This was said very calmly.
"And I told you at dinner-time that I was going to the Philharmonic,
and not to see this dancer." I tried to appear as composed as he was, but
failed in the attempt altogether.
"You were aware that I had tickets for the theatre before you said that,"
was the cold answer he made.
"Of course I was."
"Very well, Mary. You can do as you like. The carriage will be here at
half-past seven. If you are then ready to go to the theatre, I shall be
happy to have your company." And my husband, after saying this with
a most unruffled manner, politely bowed and retired to the parlour.
I was on fire. But I had no thought of yielding.
At half-past seven I was ready. I heard the carriage drive up to the door
and the bell ring.
"Mary," called my husband at the bottom of the stair-case, in a cheerful
tone, "are you ready?"

"Ready to go where?" I asked on descending.
"To the theatre."
"I am ready for the concert, "I answered in as composed a voice as I
could assume.
"I am not going to the concert to-night, Mrs. Smith. I thought you
understood that," firmly replied my husband. "I am going to see Fanny
Ellsler. If you will go with me, I shall be very happy to have your
company. If not, I must go alone."
"And I am going to the Philharmonic. I thought you understood that," I
replied, with equal resolution.
"Oh! very well," said he, not seeming to be at all disturbed. "Then you
can use the carriage at the door. I will walk to the theatre."
Saying this, Mr. Smith turned from me deliberately and walked away. I
heard him tell the driver of the carriage to take me to the Musical Fund
Hall; then I heard the street-door close, and then I heard my husband's
footsteps on the pavement as he left the house. Without hesitating a
moment for reflection, I followed to the door, entered the carriage, and
ordered the man to drive me--where? I had no ticket for the concert; nor
could I go alone!
"To the Musical Fund Hall, I believe, madam," he said, standing with
his fingers touching the rim of his hat.
I tried to think what I should do. To be conquered was hard. And it was
clear that I could not go alone.
"No," I replied, grasping hold of the first suggestion that came to my
mind. "Drive