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"It is a lovely morning, and Hortensia has just learned from Caius Bibulus, that at high noon the ambassadors of the wild Allobroges will march in with their escort over the Mulvian Bridge. She wishes much to see the pomp, for we are told that their stature is gigantic and their presence noble, and their garb very wild, yet magnificent withal and martial. Shall we go forth and see them?
Hortensia Winthrop's fair name was to be cleansed of the smirch that had been cast upon it, and Justin was the only man in whose power it had lain to do it. More than that if more were needed it was Rotherby himself, by his aggressiveness, who had thrust Mr.
"It is better so," he was saying. "Better so!" His glance was upon her, and she understood what none other there suspected that those words were for her alone. He closed his eyes and swooned again, as the doctor stooped to remove the temporary bandages from his wound. Hortensia, a sob beating in her throat, turned and fled to her own room. Mr. Caryll was almost happy.
"I must see Lord Ostermore!" had been Mr. Caryll's wild cry, as he strode to the door. From the other side of it there came a sound of steps and voices. Some one was turning the handle. Hortensia caught Mr. Caryll by the sleeve. "But the letters!" she cried frantically, and pointed to the incriminating papers which he had left, forgotten, upon the desk.
It happened the cardinal's choice settled upon one who had fallen in love with Hortensia, and who had declared, with amorous enthusiasm, that if he had but the happiness of being married to her, it would not grieve him to die three months afterwards. The young noble was Armand Charles de la Porte, Duke de Meilleraye, who had the sole recommendation of being one of the richest peers of France.
It tells us of Artemisia, who erected to her husband a mausoleum which was one of the wonders of the world; of Telesilla, the poetess, who saved Argos by her courage; of Hipparchia, who married a deformed and ugly cynic, in order that she might make attainments in learning and philosophy; of Phantasia, who wrote a poem on the Trojan war, which Homer himself did not disdain to utilize; of Sappho, who invented a new measure in lyric poetry, and who was so highly esteemed that her countrymen stamped their money with her image; of Volumnia, screening Rome from the vengeance of her angry son; of Servilia, parting with her jewels to secure her father's liberty; of Sulpicia, who fled from the luxuries of Rome to be a partner of the exile of her husband; of Hortensia, pleading for justice before the triumvirs in the market-place; of Octavia, protecting the children of her rival Cleopatra; of Lucretia, destroying herself rather than survive the dishonor of her house; of Cornelia, inciting her sons, the Gracchi, to deeds of patriotism; and many other illustrious women.
We'll mend that presently. I will first convince you of your error, and you, Hortensia." "It will be interesting," said Mr. Caryll, and meant it. Rotherby turned from him, keeping a tight rein upon his anger; and so much restraint in so tempestuous a man was little short of wonderful. "Hortensia," he said, "this is fool's talk. What object could I seek to serve?"
Hortensia would be as much alone in the world as he was; worse, for life at Stretton House with her ladyship from which even in the earl's lifetime she had been led to attempt to escape must be a thing unbearable, and what alternative could he suggest but that she should become his wife? She came to him presently, white-faced and with startled eyes.
"There is no reason why I should detain your lordship," said he, "and these operations The lady " He waved an expressive hand, bent an expressive eye upon the earl. Lord Ostermore seemed to waver. He was not he had never been a man to think for others. But Hortensia cut in before he could reply. "We will wait," she said.
The reflection that the task before him was unnatural came ever to revolt him. To gain ease, the most that he could do and he had the faculty of it developed in a preternatural degree was to put the business from him for the time, endeavor to forget it. And he had another matter to consider and to plague him the matter of Hortensia Winthrop.
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