In Mark's stout manhood was an element of
more than womanish compassion and tenderness; he never could bear to see
even a child in tears; no wonder if his anger vanished before the
contrition of the one being whom he loved far better than life. He lost
sight of his own wrongs instantly, but _not_ of the object he had in
view.
"Forgive me for speaking so roughly; I ought to have declined your
challenge. I behaved better once, you remember. But be patient while I
plead for the right, though, if you would but listen to them, prudence
and your own conscience could do that better than I. When infatuation
exists, it is worse than useless to prove the object of it unworthy, so
I will not attempt to blacken Major Keene's character; besides, it is
not to my taste to attack men in their absence. I fear there are few
capitals in Europe where his name is not too well known. From what I
have heard, I believe his wife was most in fault when they separated,
but the life he has led since deprives him of all right to complain of
her, or condemn her. Recollect you have only heard one side. But it is
not a question of his eligibility as an acquaintance.
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