d many things to
do to-night: I have one more than I dreamed of on hand. I wish to be
alone."

Mark gazed wistfully at the speaker without stirring from his seat. "I
know what your intention is perfectly well. You mean to follow her. I
believe it would be quite in vain; you have misjudged Cecil Tresilyan,
if you fancy that she would alter her determination twice. But you might
give her great pain, and compromise her more cruelly than you have done
already. There are obstacles now in your way that you could not
encounter without causing open scandal. Her brother's suspicions are
fairly roused by this time, and he can not help doing his duty: he may
be weak and credulous, but he is no coward. There is no fear of farther
interference from me: my part is played. But I do beseech you to pause.
Supposing the very worst--that you could still succeed in persuading
Cecil to her ruin--are you prepared deliberately to accept the
consequences of the crime? You are far more experienced in such matters
than I: do you know a single instance of such guilt being accomplished
where _both_, before the year was ended, did not wish it undone? I do
not pretend to be interested about your future; but I believe I am
speaking now as your dearest friend might speak. You both delude
yourselves miserably if you think that Cecil could live under disgrace.
I do you so much justice. You would find it unendurable to see her
withering away day by day, with no prospect before her but a hopeless
death. In God's name, draw back while there is time. It is only a sharp
struggle, and self-command and self-denial will come. Loneliness is
bitter to bear: _I_ know that; but what is manhood worth if it can not
bear its burdens? I have put every thing on the lowest grounds, and I
will ask you one question more--you might guard her from some suffering
by hiding her from the world's scorn--could you guard yourself against
satiety?"

He spoke without a trace of anger or animosity, and the grave, kind
tones made some way in the winding avenues leading to Royston's heart.
Besides this, the last word struck the chord of the misgiving that had
haunted him ever since he proposed the flight, and had already made him
half repent it. But the fortress did not yet surrender.

"All this while you have had some idea of improving your own position
with Cecil. It is natural enough: yet I fancy you will find yourself
mistaken there."

Instead of flushing at the taunt, Waring'