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CHAPTER VI. The lamps burned in a subdued way under their dark, rose-coloured shades, the trail of the women's skirts hardly made any sound on the thick carpet, the room was large, and the piano that was being played mildly at the other end of it failed to disturb our conversation. "Well, now, then?" I leant over the back of Lucia's low easy-chair and waited eagerly for her answer. It was the second night after my return to England. I had dined with the Grants, and now in this dim, secluded corner of the drawing-room I had the first opportunity of serious conversation with her. "I don't know, Victor; not at present." "Lucia! what do you mean!" "What I say, dearest," she answered quietly. Looking down on her I could see, beneath a confusion of black eyelashes and dark eyebrow, that the blue eyes looked straight out in front of her, her arm lay along the wicker side-rest of the chair, languid, indolent, relaxed. "But why?" I said. "Why not at once? Tell me." She was silent for some time, then she said,-- "When I came to you last year I urged our marriage, and you said it could not be; now you urge it, and I say it cannot be. That's all." I bit my lips suddenly, and I was glad she was not looking at me. I was silent, too, for a minute; then I said,-- "But surely you are not thinking of punishing me for that; of avenging yourself? You knew all the circumstances, and you acquiesced in my decision. You would not now think of revenge--it is so unlike you!" "Oh no, no! You misunderstood me. How can you think I should occupy myself with a ridiculous, petty idea of revenge?" and she laughed a slight, fatigued laugh. "No, I merely meant that Chance had so arranged it." "But how, then? There is no obstacle now." "Not on your side; no." "Then what is it, dearest, on yours?" She did not answer me for a long time, and then it was seemingly with reluctance, and a slight flush crept into her pale face as she said merely the two words,-- "My health." I hardly know exactly what sensation her answer roused in me, but I think it was nearer relief than any other. In those few seconds of silence all sorts of apprehensions and fears had crowded in upon me. Her health! What barrier need that make between us? And in that moment of selfish passion that was all I heeded. "What has that to do with our marriage?" I asked, laughing, and bending down farther over her. "You don't mean that you are too
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