This he would remember as his strong card--the last to be played.--If
she continued being capricious until the moment of her _fiance's_
expected return, he would use all his cunning--and it was no
inconsiderable quantity--and compromise her irrevocably, and so get her
to surrender upon his terms. For he had made up his mind, as he sped to
Florence, that Cecilia Cricklander should return to England as his wife.
They had four days of the usual gay parties for every meal--there
happened to be a number of people passing through and staying at
Venice--and the early September weather was glorious and very hot.
Mrs. Cricklander delighted in a gondola. There was something about it
which set off her stately beauty, she felt, and she reveled in the
admiration she provoked; and so did Mr. Hanbury-Green--he prized that
which the crowd applauded. But time was passing, and nothing the least
definite was settled yet, although he knew he had obtained a certain
mastery over her.
On the Friday evening a telegram was received from John Derringham
saying he would return on the Saturday night, and Mr.
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