One can trace its baleful influence throughout
his subsequent career. Lady Burton, whose vigilance on her husband's
behalf never slept, and who would never rest until she confronted
his enemies, got to know of it. When I know not, in what way I know
not, but the fact that sooner or later she did get to know of it is
indisputable. How she fought to dispel this cloud none but herself
will ever know. Official displeasure she could brave, definite charges
she could combat; but this baseless rumour, shadowy, indefinite,
intangible, ever eluded her, but eluded her only to reappear. She
could not grasp it. She was conscious that the thing was in the air,
so to speak, but she could not even assume its existence. She could
only take her stand by her husband, and point to his blameless life
and say, "You are all the world to me; I trust you and believe in you
with all my heart and soul." And in this her wisdom was justified,
for at last the calumny died down, as all calumnies must die, for
lack of sustenance.
When _The Arabian Nights_ came out, at which she had worked so hard
to manage the business arrangements, Lady Burton did not read the book
throughout; she had promised her husband not to do so. She had perhaps
a vague idea of some of its contents, for she raised objections. He
explained them away, and she then worked heart and soul to ensure its
success. The success which the book achieved, and the praise with which
it was greeted, were naturally gratifying to her, and did much to dispel
any objections which she might have had, especially when it is remembered
that this book yielded profits which enabled her to procure for her
husband every comfort and luxury for his declining years.
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