" That was all
she could say. She turned to Chevenix, her desire fainting in her eyes.
"You're going to see him? Oh, take me with you!"
"Right," said Chevenix.
BOOK V
OF THE NATURE OF AN EPILOGUE, DEALING WITH DESPOINA
I
Her spirits on the rebound, her courage waving in her face, like the flag
on a citadel, she hesitated at nothing. On Chevenix's suggestion that they
must "play the game with Nevile," she told her betrothed what she proposed
to do. He had raised his eyebrows, but said, "Why not?"
"I thought you didn't love each other," had been her answer, and he had
responded:
"Well, I have no reason to dislike him. In fact, he gave you to me, if you
remember." He chuckled over the memory. "When the thing between us was at
its reddest heat, your man came pelting up to me. He had seen you, it
appears, and nothing would stop him. I never told you this tale, but you
may as well have it now. The man's a lunatic, you know. What do you think
he wanted? How do you think he put it? As thus: 'I loathe you, my dear
man'--I'm giving you the substance--'You stand for everything I'm vowed to
destroy; but I hope you'll marry her, and tie her to you for life.
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