I know not what surprises me most, Venetia, that we should
be walking once more together in the woods of Cherbury, or that I ever
should have dared to quit them.'
'And yet it was better, dear George,' said Venetia. 'You must now
rejoice that you have fulfilled your duty, and yet you are here again.
Besides, the abbey never would have been finished if you had remained.
To complete all our plans, it required a mistress.'
'I wish it always had one,' said George. 'Ah, Venetia! once you told
me never to despair.'
'And what have you to despair about, George?'
'Heigh ho!' said Lord Cadurcis, 'I never shall be able to live in this
abbey alone.'
'You should have brought a wife from London,' said Venetia.
'I told you once, Venetia, that I was not a marrying man,' said Lord
Cadurcis; 'and certainly I never shall bring a wife from London.'
'Then you cannot accustom yourself too soon to a bachelor's life,'
said Venetia.
'Ah, Venetia!' said George, 'I wish I were clever; I wish I were a
genius; I wish I were a great man.'
'Why, George?'
'Because, Venetia, perhaps,' and Lord Cadurcis hesitated, 'perhaps you
would think differently of me? I mean perhaps your feelings towards me
might; ah, Venetia! perhaps you might think me worthy of you; perhaps
you might love me.
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