In a moment he
was on his knees with his arm round the girl's waist, pouring out
such halting words of love and devotion as came to his unready
brain, cursing his fate, his earldom, and his mother, and assuring
Mary that his only chance of happiness lay in his making her his
countess. Had Mary liked to say the word at that moment, he would
have caught her to his arms, and defied the whole world--for the
time being. But Mary was a very practical young woman, and there
are difficulties in the way of handling a lover, who, however ready
he may be to do your bidding so long as your eyes are upon him, is
liable to be turned from his purpose so soon as another influence
is substituted for your own. His lordship suggested an immediate
secret marriage. But you cannot run out into the street, knock up
a clergyman, and get married on the spot, and Mary knew that the
moment she was gone his lordship's will would revert to his
mother's keeping. Then his lordship suggested flight, but flight
requires money, and the countess knew enough to keep his lordship's
purse in her own hands. Despair seized upon his lordship.
"It's no use," he cried, "it will end in my marrying her.
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