Then,--I told him that I had never cared for him, and that he need
have nothing on his conscience. But I doubt whether he was glad to
hear it. Men are so vain! I have talked too much about myself.
And so you are to be the Duke's son-in-law. And she will have
hundreds of thousands.'
'Thousands perhaps, but I do not think very much about it. I feel
that he will provide for her.'
'And that you, having secured her, can creep under his wing like
an additional ducal chick. It is very comfortable. The Duke will
be quite a Providence to you. I wonder that all young gentlemen do
not marry heiresses;--it is so easy. And you have got your seat in
Parliament too! Oh, your luck! When I look back upon it all it
seems so hard to me! It was for you;--for you that I used to be
anxious. Now it is I who have not an inch of ground to stand
upon.' Then he approached her and put out his hand to her. 'No,'
she said, putting both her hands behind her back, 'for God's sake
let there be no tenderness. But is it not cruel? Think of my
advantages at that moment when you and I agreed that our paths
should be separate.
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