After
they had spoken in the most quiet and friendly way for a little she
said, "And how is your cousin, Lord Eildon?"
"Nearly well: his constitution seems at last fairly to have taken
a turn in the right direction. The doctors say that not only is he
likely to live as long as any of us, but that the probability is he
will be a robust man yet."
"Oh, I am glad of it--I am heartily glad of it!"
"Why are you so very glad?"
"Because you are: it has made you very happy--you look so."
"I am excessively happy because you believe I am happy. Many people
don't: many people think I am disappointed. My own mother thinks so,
and yet she is a good woman. People will believe that you wish the
death of your dearest friend if he stands between you and material
good. It is horrible, and I have been courted and worshiped as the
rising sun;" and he laughed. "One can afford to laugh at it now, but
it was very sickening at the time. I can afford anything, Alice: I
believe I can even afford to marry, if you'll marry a hard-working man
instead of a duke."
"Oh, George," she said, "I have been so ashamed of that letter I
wrote.
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