The man who had first married her stood under the bushes
before her. It was plain from his appearance that something had
gone wrong with him.
'You notice a change in me, my best-beloved,' he said. 'Yes, Maria-
-I have lost all the wealth I once possessed--mainly by reckless
gambling in the Continental hells to which you banished me. But one
thing in the world remains to me--the child--and it is for him that
I have intruded here. Don't fear me, darling! I shall not
inconvenience you long; I love you too well! But I think of the boy
day and night--I cannot help it--I cannot keep my feeling for him
down; and I long to see him, and speak a word to him once in my
lifetime!'
'But your oath?' says she. 'You promised never to reveal by word or
sign--'
'I will reveal nothing. Only let me see the child. I know what I
have sworn to you, cruel mistress, and I respect my oath. Otherwise
I might have seen him by some subterfuge. But I preferred the frank
course of asking your permission.'
She demurred, with the haughty severity which had grown part of her
character, and which her elevation to the rank of a peeress had
rather intensified than diminished. She said that she would
consider, and would give him an answer the day after the next, at
the same hour and place, when her husband would again be absent with
his pack of hounds.
The gentleman waited patiently. Lady Icenway, who had now no
conscious love left for him, well considered the matter, and felt
that it would be advisable not to push to extremes a man of so
passionate a heart.
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