They do not yet know me, either of them—quite—or what I can and will do.
Claridge’s,
Monday night.
I felt to carry out my plan I must steady my mind a little, so I wrote my journal, and that calmed me.
Of all the things I was sure of in the world I was most sure that I loved Robert far too well to injure his prospects. On the other hand to throw him away without a struggle was too cruel to both of us. If mamma’s mother was nobody, all the rest of my family were fine old fighters and gentlemen, and I really prayed to their shades to help me now.
Then I rang and ordered some iced water, and when I had thought deeply for a few minutes, while I sipped it, I sat down to my writing-table. My hand did not shake, though I felt at a deadly tension. I addressed the envelope first, to steady myself:
To
His Grace,
The Duke of Torquilstone,
Vavasour House,