The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-09
AMELIE RIVES ON QUESTION
OF A WIFE'S RESPONSIBILITY

Amelie R!ves (tie Princess Troubetz
koy). who has contributed one OF the
most interesting novels 10 the fall list
Of books In Shadows of Flames" has
given her charming heroine rather q
hard time OF II In that her first hus-
band is a slave OF drugs and her secoa
husband gives way to DIR nix and some
evils that ir!nk Is heir 10. The heroine
remains loyal to the first husband
through narrowing ordedls until ne
finally dies but the second husband
she divorces after a few years OF mar
riage-not because Of his inndelity but
because he unjustly suspected her.
Princess Troubetzkoy's handling of tie
story suggested certain questions. The
author has sincere convictions regarding
these points which develop !nto the
cr:ss of her story. And though she IS
AZ present mentioning on her Virginia
es.ate-vacationing By writing short
stories and a play the Princess will
ineiy expressed her Views on those
points.
How far do you think a w!:e's re-
sponslbil!ty reaches she was asked.
"As | see it, replied the Princess. "a
wife,s responsibility reaches as far as
Il can 20 without excluding seli-respeot
and without becoming transformed into
n servile and useless acquiescence In
Other words. I canuot see that a fine,
strong. useful being should sacrifice her.
self endles sly for "A weak, ignoble and
worthless character.
LAS long as SIZE sees a reasonable hope
OF helping her husband to overcome MS
evil ways sire should stand by him.
There comes 4 point In such cases WIN re
a wife whom nothing could outrage be-
comes a party to the husbands vices. in
my opinion"
In your opinion" she was mex asked
what Is least forgivaole IN a husband.
his infdelity or his suspicion OF lis
wife,"
THE man who Is unfa!thfui 20 his
wife" slu. said. "is sure TO suspect her
OF a like offence, sooner or later. The
question OF forgiveness depends wholly
on character. Some women forgive such
things outwarlly that Is. their actions
would infer forgiveness, but IN th-r
hearts they never forgive, Both offences
seem 10 be on an equally low plane
VIVA: do you consider the causes ".
ing back OF the preva' noe of divorce
IN AneriCa" 49,
zone o: these causes. ! should say.
= the freedom OF the laws u divorce
We're the laws OF divorce the same in
Other countries as IN America IRomau
Catholic countries eNCepted) ] feel rea
soaahly sure tina: divorce would he
equally prevalent In such countries Two
Roman Catholic Church. by holding the
marriage bond TO be indissolubie exccr.
by death II certain rare and eNcep-
tional causes. letters i.s devout mem.
hers by TIE fear Of divine wrath Adl.-
terry, however, Is not rare IN lands where
tfc Inhabitants are mostly Catholic.
though ] have heard that Irelard is ~
exception. Of course. 10 be quite frank
every one is aware that IN the countries
where the divorce laws are severe adu.-
terry is the substitute for divorce and re-
Another cause .s the cd, old cause
I'm the imperfection Of human
nature and the iallibility OF human
judgment"
do you think the fault, is more often
the mans or the woman's?' the prin
cess was asked.
Il should say" SHE replied. that
Adam and Eve are equally gu lty in this
respect, II would require a census
from a higher sphere to give the
exact tabulat!on OF SUCH male and fe.
offenders. and | believe that tho
result would he even then six for Eve
half a dozen for Adam"
(Which show greater patience and
fortitude, American marriage and d.