Twenty-four hours? An instant was all he needed. A release? Yes, he thought that might be managed, though no doubt Caroline would throw every difficulty in the way. But he could swear to do his utmost. As to marriage, certainly, if the right woman could be found, and there was no one whose judgment he would be prepared to trust so blindly in such a matter as Lady Melbourne's. Had she any special person in her mind? His eyes sparkled with interest and curiosity. She shook her head. "If I had I should deny it, so there is no good in pressing that question. But, if we now understand one another thoroughly, I am ready to carry out my part of the bargain if you will yours. I suggest your breaking the matter to Caroline by letter while she is in Ireland, and of course it is plain that the letter should be of a sort to convince her that no plea she can make will have any weight whatever. It must be decisive. There are necessary cruelties which benefit the victim in the long run. Not that I suggest, you understand. I can take no responsibility in a matter entirely between you and Caroline. But it should be done at once." To this he readily engaged himself. They talked for some time longer, viewing the matter from every possible angle, and he found himself, to his surprise, opening his mind to her with the same unreserve as if she had been a man of his own standing. It seemed impossible either to shock or distress her, and to the calm good sense of the man of the world she added the intuitive perception of the woman. Never before had fate sent him such a counsellor, and he could have sat there for hours, discussing his own feelings and adventures, and those of others as freely. She smiled in silence-a sphinx in lace cap and diamonds, and entirely his match—and more. Mentioning Caroline's agonies at the prospect of Lady Oxford, he said: "To me it appears the height of unreason. I entirely fail to understand why a woman, herself unfaithful to her husband, thinks herself entitled to expect any fidelity from her lover. Can you explain that mystery?" Lady Melbourne put the question gently aside. Her purpose was achieved and she really had no interest in academic discussions. "Women have their prejudices. But I think if you are writing to Caroline that Lady Oxford might be used to give a touch of finality to the matter. And now, to my regret, I must dismiss you for I expect my milliner. I appreciate the good sense you have shown in your frankness with me, and my help shall not be wanting in the marriage question. I shall always be ready to advise you, and I feel sure that is a step Augusta would warmly approve. Indeed, she once mentioned it here." Byron was silent on that point. He rose with the grace acquired in the last year and kissed the veined and wrinkled old hand sparkling with great diamonds and rubies. He liked their owner as much as it was in him to like any woman, save one. She looked into his eyes with her own, bright and hard as the macaw's. "Better confide wholly in me, Byron. I know the London rocks and shoals and you don't." "The greatest honour!" he protested. "If I only dared-" "Yes, but no half measures. A wise man tells his doctor all or nothing. Shall it be all?" “All, and thankfully. If you promise not to be shocked. Even you can't guess." He broke off, laughing. "Shocked?" Her expression was enough. "Then I promise, with the utmost gratitude. How can I thank you and why are you so gracious to me?" "Because in the course of my long life you are the only man I failed to understand at a glance. I can no more predict your future—” "But you can help it. Give me a wife.” She laughed and they parted on that. As he went down the stair she sat thinking, a darkness of anger settling upon her face which she had not permitted him to see, then pulled the gold standish toward her with its elegant seals and tinted waxes, a costly toy given her by Caroline. She wrote swiftly and steadily. "MY DEAR ANNE: "You are aware that Caroline is in Ireland with her husband, and I find myself rather solitary. If Lady Milbanke could spare your company to me for as long a period as would cover Caroline's absence it would be a gratification for which I should sincerely thank her. There has been much gaiety here a rout at Devonshire House and many other pleasures more suited to your age than mine. But one I believe we have shared is delight in the elegant and romantic new poem, 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage.' Sought after as he is in society, I see much of the author, who is as romantic in appearance as his poem. It may interest your mother to hear that blonde is more worn than ever and that Lady Jersey's new dresses are the talk of the town. Hoping for a favourable reply from her goodness," etc. She signed her name firmly, addressed it to Miss Milbanke at Seaham Hall, folded and despatched it. The first step to the rescue of her William from the impending scandal was taken. As to Anne-any woman of sense and intellect can or ought to be able to manage her husband if she does not pull too tightly on the bond. That aspect of the case gave her no concern whatever. |