At present his self-
banishment had been carried no farther than Vienna. During their
travels hitherto Tregear's name had not once been mentioned. The
Duke had come away from home resolved not to mention it,--and she
was minded to keep it in reserve till some seeming catastrophe
should justify a declaration of her purpose. But from first to
last she had been sad, and latterly she had been ill. When asked
as to her complaint she would simply say that she was not happy.
To go on with this through the Chinese cities could hardly be good
for either of them. She could not wake herself to any enthusiasm
in regard to scenery, costume, pictures, or even discomforts.
Wherever she was taken it was barren to her.
As their plans stood at present they were to return to England so
as to enable her to be at Custins by the middle of October. Had he
taught himself to hope that any good could be done by prolonged
travelling he would readily have thrown over Custins and Lord
Popplecourt. He could not bring himself to trust much to the
Popplecourt scheme.
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