“That what?” he asks eagerly.
“That who he marries is no concern of mine so long as I—--“
“Well?”
“Marry—you!” she says, and as she clings to this man who is to be her husband, she thanks God that she can go down on her knees beside him and swear to love, honour, and obey him so long as they both shall live.
“My darling! my own, own darling!” he whispers, in his most melodious voice, and his voice can be not only melodious but séduisante when he likes. “Listen, Zai. I have never been a good man; but I swear that the day of our marriage I’ll commence a new life. You will never regret that you have taken me, Zai. So help me Heaven!”
The recording angel carried up this oath, but the other angels blotted it out with tears.
CHAPTER III.
ANTEROS.
“Shall we not laugh, shall we not weep?
Not we, though this be as it is;
For love awake or love asleep
Ends in a laugh, a dream, a kiss!”
Twelve months wedded, Lady Delaval yet leads a charmed life. Her cup of bliss overflows, and under its influence her lovely face is tenfold lovelier, with the sunshine of her soul illuminating it.
She has made her curtsey to the Queen on her marriage, and her train, her coiffure, and her beauty have been the talk of town. She looks so good and pure too, with no fast proclivities, and to the satiated eyes of town men these things have vast attraction.