Fancy what it would be to disturb the
career of a Plantagenet! I am far too well read in history, I can
assure you."
"I said a word for which I am sorry, and which I should not have
said."
"Never mind the word. After all, it was a true word. I do not
hesitate to say so now myself, though I will allow no other woman
to say it,--and no man either. I should have degraded him,--and
disgraced him." Madame Goesler now had dropped the bantering tone
which she had assumed, and was speaking in sober earnest. "I, for
myself, have nothing about me of which I am ashamed. I have no
history to hide, no story to be brought to light to my discredit.
But I have not been so born, or so placed by circumstances, as make
me fit to be the wife of the Duke of Omnium. I should not have been
happy, you know."
"You want nothing, dear Madame Goesler. You have all that society can
give you."
"I do not know about that. I have much given to me by society, but
there are many things that I want;--a bright-faced little boy, for
instance, to go about with me in my carriage. Why did you not bring
him, Lady Glencora?"
"I came out in my penitential sheet, and when one goes in that guise,
one goes alone. I had half a mind to walk."
"You will bring him soon?"
"Oh, yes.
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