’Tis woman’s whole existence; man may range
The court, camp, church, the vessel and the mart,
Sword, gown, gain, glory offer in exchange.
Pride and ambition may o’errun his heart,
And few there are whom these cannot estrange.
Woman knows but one refuge, if love err—
To draw him from these baubles, back to her!”
There was an instant of dead silence when he paused, broken by the doctor’s hiccough and a voice behind them.
Sheridan saw Gordon set down the skull-cup as the spot of color faded from his cheek. He turned to the entrance.
“Curse catch me!” gasped the wit, springing to his feet. “Lady Melbourne and Miss Milbanke!”