Cytherea's mother had unexpectedly inherited a large fortune and
estates in the west of England by the rapid fall of some intervening
lives. This had caused their removal from the small house in
Bloomsbury, and, as it appeared, a renunciation of their old friends
in that quarter.

Young Graye concluded that his Cytherea had forgotten him and his
love. But he could not forget her.

2. FROM 1843 TO 1861

Eight years later, feeling lonely and depressed--a man without
relatives, with many acquaintances but no friends--Ambrose Graye met
a young lady of a different kind, fairly endowed with money and good
gifts. As to caring very deeply for another woman after the loss of
Cytherea, it was an absolute impossibility with him. With all, the
beautiful things of the earth become more dear as they elude
pursuit; but with some natures utter elusion is the one special
event which will make a passing love permanent for ever.

This second young lady and Graye were married. That he did not,
first or last, love his wife as he should have done, was known to
all; but few knew that his unmanageable heart could never be weaned
from useless repining at the loss of its first idol.

His character to some extent deteriorated, as emotional
constitutions will under the long sense of disappointment at having
missed their imagined destiny. And thus, though naturally of a
gentle and pleasant disposition, he grew to be not so tenderly
regarded by his acquaintances as it is the lot of some of those