One supreme folly they had conspired to commit, even before the
commencement of the honeymoon. Charles, after the manner of very
young lovers, had earnestly requested Mivanway to impose upon him
some task. He desired to do something great and noble to show his
devotion. Dragons was the thing he had in mind, though he may not
have been aware of it. Dragons also, no doubt, flitted through
Mivanway's brain, but unfortunately for lovers the supply of
dragons has lapsed. Mivanway, liking the conceit, however, thought
over it, and then decided that Charles must give up smoking. She
had discussed the matter with her favourite sister, and that was
the only thing the girls could think of. Charles's face fell. He
suggested some more Herculean labour, some sacrifice more worthy to
lay at Mivanway's feet. But Mivanway had spoken. She might think
of some other task, but the smoking prohibition would, in any case,
remain. She dismissed the subject with a pretty hauteur that would
have graced Marie Antoinette.
Thus tobacco, the good angel of all men, no longer came each day to
teach Charles patience and amiability, and he fell into the ways of
short temper and selfishness.
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