dom was
due to her as a compensation. Lord George was Lord George, and might,
possibly, some day be a marquis. He was at any rate a handsome man, and
he had owned allegiance to her before he had transferred his homage to
that rich little chit Mary Lovelace. She was incapable of much passion,
but she did feel that she owed it to herself to have some revenge on
Mary Lovelace. The game as it stood had charms sufficient to induce her
to go on with it; and yet,--after all, he was dreary.

Such was the lady's feeling when she was left alone; but Lord George
went away from the meeting almost overcome by the excitement of the
occasion. To him the matter was of such stirring moment that he could
not go home, could not even go to his club. He was so moved by his
various feelings, that he could only walk by himself and consider
things. To her that final embrace had meant very little. What did it
signify? He had taken her in his arms and kissed her forehead. It might
have been her lips had he so pleased. But to him it had seemed to mean
very much indeed. There was a luxury in it which almost intoxicated
him, and a horror in it which almost quelled him. That she should so
love him as to be actually subdued by her love could not but charm him.
He had none of that strength which arms a man against flatterers;--none
of that experience which strengthens a man against female cajolery. It
was to him very serious and very solemn. There might, perhaps, have
been exaggeration in her mode of describing her feelings, but there
could be no doubt in this,--that he had held her in his arms and that
she was another man's wife.

The wickedness of the thing was more wicked to him than the charm of it
was charming. It was dreadful to him to think that he had done a thing
of which he would have to be ashamed if the knowledge of it were
brought to his wife's ears. That he should have to own himself to have
been wrong to her would tear him to pieces! That he should lord it over
her as a real husband, was necessary to his happiness, and how can a
man be a real lord over a woman when he has had to confess his fault to
her, and to beg her to forgive him? A wife's position with her husband
may be almost improved by such asking for pardon. It will enhance his
tenderness. But the man is so lowered that neither of them can ever
forget the degradation. And, though it might never come to that, though
this terrible passion might be concealed from her, still it w