"
"Yes, yes, Ned, the truth, the truth! I, too, am sorry. But it can't
be helped, and I want to tell you all about it," she said, clasping my
arm. "I--I am almost mad about him! The king and the courtiers are
harmless. It may be that my love exalts Master Hamilton and debases
others by comparison, but it is as I say with me, and I fear it will ever
be. He may be bad, but he is strong, brave, and honest. He is a man--all
man--and I tell you, Baron Ned, a woman doesn't look much further when
she goes to give her love."
My eyes were opening rapidly to qualities in my cousin that I had never
suspected, so after a moment I asked in alarm:--
"But surely you would not marry Hamilton?"
"No, I cannot marry him because of father," she answered, shaking her
head dolefully. "I must marry a rich man. More than a month ago the Duke
of Tyrconnel asked me to be his wife, as you know. He seems to know that
he must buy me if he would have me, so he tells me that he has forty
thousand pounds a year, and offers to settle ten thousand a year on me if
I will marry him. I asked for a fortnight in which to consider his offer,
and when the time was up I begged for another, which he granted, kindly
saying that he did not want me to answer till I was sure of myself, even
though the delay cost him a year's happiness. The time is almost up, and
I must ask another extension; but I shall eventually take him, and then
God pity me, for I know I shall die.
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