The Professor was not enjoying his fortnight in
London, and almost tugged his silver beard out while he smoked
innumerable pipes. He had come to some conclusions.
John Derringham having been unable to keep the tryst with Halcyone was
plainly the working of the hand of Fate, which did not intend that his
sweet girl should occupy the invidious and humiliating position of
secret wife and apparent mistress to the ambitious young man. Therefore
he--Arnold Carlyon--had no right to assist her again into John
Derringham's arms. They must both suffer and work out their destinies
however cruel that might seem.
"If John really feels she is a necessity, he will brave everything and
marry her openly as soon as he is well. If he does not--then I will not
assist her into a life of misery and disillusion."
He remembered a talk they had had long ago, when his old pupil had given
his views about women and their place in the scheme of things. Not one
must expect a man to be faithful to her, were she wife or mistress, he
had said. So starting heavily handicapped in the role of his secret and
unacknowledged wife, Halcyone would stand a very poor chance of
happiness.
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