'
His voice faltered, choked by a sob, at those last words. After all, it
is possible for a man without principle, without morality, to begin to
make love to a woman in a mere spirit of adventure, in sheer devilry,
and to be rather hard hit at the last.
Horace Smithson sailed his yacht back to Cowes without loss of time, and
sent his card to Lord Maulevrier on board the _Philomel_. His lordship
replied that he would wait upon Mr. Smithson that afternoon at four
o'clock, and at that hour Maulevrier again boarded the _Cayman_; but
this time very quietly, as an expected guest.
The interview that followed was very painful. Mr. Smithson was willing
that this unhappy episode in the life of his betrothed, this folly into
which she had been beguiled by a man of infinite treachery, a man of
all other men fatal to women, should be forgotten, should be as if it
had never been.
'It was her very innocence which made her a victim to that scoundrel,'
said Smithson, 'her girlish simplicity and Lady Kirkbank's folly. But I
love your sister too well to sacrifice her lightly, Lord Maulevrier; and
if she can forget this midsummer madness, why, so can I.
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