'
'And what said he?' murmured Venetia.
'It rests with your mother. After all that has passed, he will
not attempt to control your fate. And he is right. Perhaps his
interference in my favour might even injure me. But there is no cause
for despair; all I wanted was to come to an understanding with you; to
be sure you loved me as you always have done. I will not be impatient.
I will do everything to soothe and conciliate and gratify Lady
Annabel; you will see how I will behave! As you say, too, we are happy
because we are together; and, therefore, it would be unreasonable not
to be patient. I never can be sufficiently grateful for this meeting.
I concluded you would be in England, though we were on our way to
Milan to inquire after you. George has been a great comfort to me in
all this affair, Venetia; he loves you, Venetia, almost as much as
I do. I think I should have gone mad during that cursed affair in
England, had it not been for George. I thought you would hate me; but,
when George brought me your message, I cared for nothing; and then his
visit to the lake was so devilish kind! He is a noble fellow and a
true friend. My sweet, sweet Venetia, dry your eyes. Let us rejoin
them with a smile. We have not been long away, I will pretend we have
been violet hunting,' said Cadurcis, stooping down and plucking up a
handful of flowers.
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