"It is not yet a question of _must_. If it comes to that, both mother
and I will do all the situation calls for. In the interval, we do not
wish to discuss circumstances we may never be compelled to face."

"Then you are counting on my being drowned at sea, or on Lucy dying or
else marrying someone while I am away."

John was silent so long that Harry began to enlarge on his last
proposition. "Of course," he continued, "I may be drowned, and if Lucy
was false to me a watery grave of any kind would be welcome; but----"

"Harry," said John, and he leaned forward and put his hand on his
brother's knee, "Harry, my dear lad, listen to me. I am going to tell
you something I have never told even mother. You have met Lady Penryn,
I suppose?"

"I have seen her three or four times in the hunting field. She rides
horses no one else would mount. She does everything at the danger point.
Lord Thirsk said she had been disappointed in love and wanted to kill
herself."

"Did you think her handsome?"

"Oh, dear, no! Far from it! She is blowsy and fat, has far too much
color, and carries too much flesh in spite of the rough way she uses
herself."

"Harry, eight years ago I was as madly in love with Lady Penryn as you
are now with Lucy Lugur. All that you are suffering I have suffered.
Eight years ago we parted with tears and embraces and the most solemn