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Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield, 1804-1881

"Venetia"

'
'Well then, silly Plantagenet!'
He laughed, and they ran on.


CHAPTER III.

'Well, I am not surprised that you should have passed your time
delightfully here,' said Lord Cadurcis to Lady Annabel, when they had
entered the villa; 'for I never beheld so delightful a retreat. It is
even more exquisite than your villa on the lake, of which George gave
me so glowing a description. I was almost tempted to hasten to you.
Would you have smiled on me!' he added, rather archly, and in a
coaxing tone.
'I am more gratified that we have met here,' said Lady Annabel.
'And thus,' added Cadurcis.
'You have been a great traveller since we last met?' said Lady
Annabel, a little embarrassed.
'My days of restlessness are over,' said Cadurcis. 'I desire nothing
more dearly than to settle down in the bosom of these green hills as
you have done.'
'This life suits Mr. Herbert,' said Lady Annabel. 'He is fond of
seclusion, and you know I am accustomed to it.'
'Ah! yes,' said Cadurcis, mournfully. 'When I was in Greece, I used
often to wish that none of us had ever left dear Cherbury; but I do
not now.'
'We must forget Cherbury,' said Lady Annabel.
'I cannot: I cannot forget her who cherished my melancholy childhood.
Dear Lady Annabel,' he added in a voice of emotion, and offering her
his hand, 'forget all my follies, and remember that I was your child,
once as dutiful as you were affectionate.


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