You know of
my attachment, I believe?"
Lord Dennis nodded.
"Well, I have joined my life to this lady's. There will be no scandal,
but I consider it my duty to resign my seat, and leave public life
alone. Is that right or wrong according to, your view?"
Lord Dennis looked at his nephew in silence. A faint flush coloured his
brown cheeks. He had the appearance of one travelling in mind over the
past.
"Wrong, I think," he said, at last.
"Why, if I may ask?"
"I have not the pleasure of knowing this lady, and am therefore somewhat
in the dark; but it appears to me that your decision is not fair to
her."
"That is beyond me," said Miltoun.
Lord Dennis answered firmly:
"You have asked me a frank question, expecting a frank answer, I
suppose?"
Miltoun nodded.
"Then, my dear, don't blame me if what I say is unpalatable."
"I shall not."
"Good! You say you are going to give up public life for the sake of your
conscience. I should have no criticism to make if it stopped there."
He paused, and for quite a minute remained silent, evidently searching
for words to express some intricate thread of thought.
"But it won't, Eustace; the public man in you is far stronger than the
other. You want leadership more than you want love. Your sacrifice will
kill your affection; what you imagine is your loss and hurt, will prove
to be this lady's in the end.
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