"Geoffrey Cliffe
is not a man to be trusted. You and I know that of old. He is a boaster,
and--"
"And a liar!" said Ashe, quietly. "Oh! I know that."
"And yet he has this power over women--one ought to look it in the
face. William, dearest William!" she leaned over and clasped his hand
close in both hers, "do persuade Kitty to go away from London now--at
once!"
"Kitty won't go," said Ashe, quietly, "I am sorry, dear mother. I hate
that you should be worried. But there's the fact. Kitty won't go!"
"Then use your authority," said Lady Tranmore.
"I have none."
"William!" Ashe rose from his seat, and began to walk up and down. His
aspect of competence and dignity, as of a man already accustomed to
command and destined to a high experience, had never been more marked
than at the very moment of this helpless utterance. His mother looked at
him with mingled admiration and amazement.
Presently he paused beside her.
"I should like you to understand me, mother. I cannot fight with Kitty.
Before I asked her to marry me, I made up my mind to that. I knew then
and I know now that nothing but disaster could come of it.
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