when alone with Royston did she betray herself. It was sad to see
how completely the stronger and worse nature had absorbed the weaker and
better one till all power of volition and free agency vanished, and even
individuality was lost. She was not sentimental or demonstrative in his
presence (on the contrary, at such times, that loveliest face was very
apt to put on the delicious _mine mutine_, which made it perfectly
irresistible), but the idea seemed never to enter her mind that it would
be possible to resist or controvert any seriously-expressed wish of
her--_lover_. There! the word is written; and woe is me! that I dare not
erase it. It must have come sooner or later, and it is as well to have
got it over.

According to all rules for such cases laid down and provided, Cecil's
life ought to have been spent in alternations between feverish
excitement and poignant remorse. But the truth must be told--she was
unaccountably happy. The simple fact was that she had no time to be
otherwise. Even when entirely alone her conscience could find no
opportunity of asserting itself. Her thoughts were amply occupied with
recalling every word that Royston had said, and with anticipating what
he would say at their next meeting. It is idle to suppose that remorse
can not be kept at arm's length for a certain time; but the debt
recklessly incurred must generally be paid to the uttermost farthing.
Life, if sufficiently prolonged, will always afford leisure for
reflection and retrospect, and at such seasons we appreciate in full
force the tortures of "solitary confinement." The criminal may go on
pilgrimage to a hundred shrines, and never light on the purification
that will scare the Erinnyes.

In this instance the victor certainly did not abuse his advantage, and
was any thing but exacting in his requirements. It was strange how his
whole manner and nature altered when alone with his beautiful captive.
The more evident became her subjugation, the more he seemed anxious to
treat her with a delicate deference. They talked, as a rule, on any
subject rather than their own feelings; and he spoke on all such
indifferent topics honestly, if not wisely. For the rest of the world
his sarcasm and irony were ready as ever; he kept all his sincerity and
confidence for Cecil Tresilyan. This is the secret of the influence
exercised by many men, at whose successes we all have marveled. Sweet,
as well as disenchanting experiences are sometimes gained