It worked out, in fact, in the mistress of the Grand Duke. In anyone
less sentimental than Edward that would not have mattered. With
Edward it was fatal. For, such was his honourable nature, that for
him to enjoy a woman's favours made him feel that she had a
bond on him for life. That was the way it worked out in practice.
Psychologically it meant that he could not have a mistress without
falling violently in love with her. He was a serious person--and in
this particular case it was very expensive. The mistress of the
Grand Duke--a Spanish dancer of passionate appearance --singled
out Edward for her glances at a ball that was held in their
common hotel. Edward was tall, handsome, blond and very
wealthy as she understood--and Leonora went up to bed early. She
did not care for public dances, but she was relieved to see that
Edward appeared to be having a good time with several amiable
girls. And that was the end of Edward--for the Spanish dancer of
passionate appearance wanted one night of him for his beaux yeux.
He took her into the dark gardens and, remembering suddenly the
girl of the Kilsyte case, he kissed her. He kissed her passionately,
violently, with a sudden explosion of the passion that had been
bridled all his life--for Leonora was cold, or at any rate, well
behaved.
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