No delay! Circumstances might develop at any
moment and sweep her from him. Now or never must he snatch her from
difficulty and disgrace--let hostile tongues wag as they pleased--and
make her his.
His political future? He knew well the influence which, in these days of
universal publicity, a man's private affairs may have on his public
career. And in truth his heart was in that career, and the thought of
endangering it hurt him. Certainly it would recommend him to nobody that
he should marry Madame d'Estrees' daughter. On the other hand, what
favor did he want of anybody? save what work and "knowing more than the
other fellows" might compel? The cynic in him was well aware that he had
already what other men fought for--family, money, and position. Society
must accept his wife; and Kitty, once mellowed by happiness and praise,
might live, laugh, and rattle as she pleased.
As to strangeness and caprice, the modern world delights in them; "the
violent take it by force." There is, indeed, a dividing-line; but it was
a love-marriage that should keep Kitty on the safe side of it.
He stood lost in a very ecstasy of resolve, when suddenly there was a
sharp movement outside, and a flash of white among the yew hedges
bordering the formal garden on which his windows looked.
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