For how could he saddle Connie’s life with such a charge—or darken it with such a tragedy?
Impossible! But that was only one of many reasons why he should not take advantage of her, through their common pity for Otto. In his own eyes he was a ruined man, and having resolutely refused to live upon his mother, his pride was little more inclined to live upon a wife, common, and generally applauded, though the practice might be. About five thousand pounds had been saved for himself out of the wreck, of which he would certainly spend a thousand, before all was done, on the ‘Orpheus.’ The rest would just suffice to launch him as a barrister. His mother would provide for the younger children. Her best jewels, indeed, had been already sold and invested as a dowry for Nellie—who showed signs of engaging herself to a Scotch laird. But Falloden was joint guardian of Trix and Reggie, and must keep a watchful eye on them, now that his mother’s soft incompetence had been more plainly revealed than ever by her widowhood. He chafed under the duties imposed, and yet fulfilled them—anxiously and well—to the amazement of his relations.
In addition he had his way to make in the world.
But Constance had only to be a little more seen and known in English Society to make the most brilliant match that any scheming chaperon could desire. Falloden was aware through every pulse of her fast developing beauty. And although no great heiress, as heiresses now go, she would ultimately inherit a large amount of scattered money, in addition to what she already possessed. The Langmoors would certainly have her out of Oxford at the earliest possible moment—and small blame to them.
In all this he reasoned as a man of his class and antecedents was likely to reason—only with a bias against himself. To capture Connie, through Otto, before she had had any other chances of marriage, seemed to him a mean and dishonourable thing.
If he had only time—time to make his career!
But there would be no time given him. As soon as her Risborough relations got hold of her, Constance would marry directly.
He went back to the cottage in a sombre mood. Then, as Otto proved to be in the same condition, Falloden had to shake off his own depression as quickly as possible, and spend the evening in amusing and distracting the invalid.
But Fortune, which had no doubt enjoyed the nips she had inflicted on so tempting a victim, was as determined as before to take her own capricious way.