In spite of his manner, in spite of his apparent self-sufficiency,
this man was very soft within. Less than two years back he had
been willing to sacrifice all the world for his cousin Mabel, and
his cousin Mabel had told him that he was wrong. 'It does not pay
to sacrifice the world for love.' So cousin Mabel had said, and
had added something as to its being necessary that she should
marry a rich man, and expedient that he should marry a rich woman.
He had thought much about it, and had declared to himself that on
no account would he marry a woman for her money. Then he had
encountered Lady Mary Palliser. There had been no doubt, no
resolution after that, no thinking about it,--but downright love.
There was nothing left of real regret for his cousin in his bosom.
She had been right. That love had been impossible. But this would
be possible,--ah, so deliciously possible,--if only her father and
mother would assist! The mother, imprudent in this as in all
things, had assented. The reader knows the rest.
It was in every way possible.
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