You both delude
yourselves miserably if you think that Cecil could live under disgrace.
I do you so much justice. You would find it unendurable to see her
withering away day by day, with no prospect before her but a hopeless
death. In God's name, draw back while there is time. It is only a sharp
struggle, and self-command and self-denial will come. Loneliness is
bitter to bear: _I_ know that; but what is manhood worth if it can not
bear its burdens? I have put every thing on the lowest grounds, and I
will ask you one question more--you might guard her from some suffering
by hiding her from the world's scorn--could you guard yourself against
satiety?"
He spoke without a trace of anger or animosity, and the grave, kind
tones made some way in the winding avenues leading to Royston's heart.
Besides this, the last word struck the chord of the misgiving that had
haunted him ever since he proposed the flight, and had already made him
half repent it. But the fortress did not yet surrender.
"All this while you have had some idea of improving your own position
with Cecil. It is natural enough: yet I fancy you will find yourself
mistaken there.
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