However, he was set
upon it, and my mother was forced to consent to the engagement. She
seemed equally devoted to him, till she met Lord Tyrrell at some
country house, and then a quarrel was picked, either by her mother
or herself, about my mother retaining the headship of her own house.
It was a palpable excuse, but it served to break the affair off, and
Raymond was cruelly cut up. My mother made herself everything to
him from that moment, gave up all her former habits to be with him,
sent the little boys to school, and fairly dragged him through the
trouble!"
"How long ago was it?"
"Ten years--yes, ten years. So far as ceasing to care a straw for a
heartless woman like that, he has got over it, no doubt; but it has
made a graver man of him for life, and I doubt whether, but for my
mother's accident, he ever would have married."
"Did you marry for your mother's sake, Julius, or only tell her so?"
"For shame, my Lady Mischief!"
"And do you think the fair Camilla returned with plans that she
finds disconcerted?"
"How can I tell? I have not seen her since I was a lad of
eighteen.
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