I might sail for some remote land
and convert myself into a savage, where I should never be found or
recognized; there's no other escape for me."
"How much does Miss Ashton know of this?"
"Nothing. I had a letter from her this morning, more kindly than her
letters have been of late."
"Lord Hartledon!" exclaimed Mr. Carr, in startled tones. "Is it possible
that you are carrying on a correspondence with Miss Ashton, and your
love-making with Lady Maude?"
Val nodded assent, looking really ashamed of himself.
"And you call yourself a man of honour! Why, you are the greatest
humbug--"
"That's enough; no need to sum it up. I see all I've been."
"I understood you to imply that your correspondence with Miss Ashton had
ceased."
"It was renewed. Dr. Ashton came up to preach one Sunday, just before
Christmas, and he and I got friendly again; you know I never can be
unfriendly with any one long. The next day I wrote to Anne, and we have
corresponded since; more coolly though than we used to do. Circumstances
have been really against me. Had they continued at Ventnor, I should have
gone down and spent my Christmas with them, and nothing of this would
have happened; but they must needs go to Dr. Ashton's sister's in
Yorkshire for Christmas; and there they are still. It was in that
miserable Christmas week that the mischief occurred. And now you have
the whole, Carr.
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