I don't want to be in the least romantic
about it. She is very well dressed; she is quite quiet; she is very
beautiful. The old nurse looks after her very efficiently.
Of course you have the makings of a situation here, but it is all
very humdrum, as far as I am concerned. I should marry Nancy if
her reason were ever sufficiently restored to let her appreciate the
meaning of the Anglican marriage service. But it is probable that
her reason will never be sufficiently restored to let her appreciate
the meaning of the Anglican marriage service. Therefore I cannot
marry her, according to the law of the land.
So here I am very much where I started thirteen years ago. I am the
attendant, not the husband, of a beautiful girl, who pays no
attention to me. I am estranged from Leonora, who married
Rodney Bayham in my absence and went to live at Bayham.
Leonora rather dislikes me, because she has got it into her head
that I disapprove of her marriage with Rodney Bayham. Well, I
disapprove of her marriage. Possibly I am jealous. Yes, no doubt I
am jealous. In my fainter sort of way I seem to perceive myself
following the lines of Edward Ashburnham. I suppose that I
should really like to be a polygamist; with Nancy, and with
Leonora, and with Maisie Maidan and possibly even with
Florence.
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