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The Adventures Harry Richmond — Volume 5 by George Meredith
page 17 of 108 (15%)

The 'Where am I?' look was painful in her aspect.

It led me to perceive the difference of her published position in
visiting a duellist lover instead of one assassinated. In the latter
case, the rashness of an hereditary virgin princess avowing her
attachment might pass condoned or cloaked by general compassion. How
stood it in the former? I had dragged her down to the duellist's level!
And as she was not of a nature to practise concealments, and scorned to
sanction them, she was condemned, seeing that concealment as far as
possible was imperative, to suffer bitterly in her own esteem. This, the
cruellest, was the least of the evils. To keep our names disjoined was
hopeless. My weakened frame and mental misery coined tears when thoughts
were needed.

Presently I found the room empty of our poor unconscious tormentor.
Ottilia had fastened her hand to mine again.

'Be generous,' I surprised her by saying. 'Go back at once. I have seen
you! Let my father escort you the road. You will meet the margravine,
or some one. I think, with you, it will be the margravine, and my father
puts her in good humour. Pardon a wretched little scheme to save you
from annoyance! So thus you return within a day, and the margravine,
shelters you. Your name will not be spoken. But go at once, for the
sake of Prince Ernest. I have hurt him already; help me to avoid doing
him a mortal injury. It was Schwartz who drove you? our old Schwartz !
Old Warhead! You see, we may be safe; only every fresh minute adds to
the danger. And another reason for going-another--'

'Ah!' she breathed, 'my Harry will talk himself into a fever.'
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