I don't see how he could keep them off. Or
even an engagement bringing him down here--or anywhere, among papa's
friends would be very bad for him. I saw it in London, even with
Camilla to keep things in check." She was almost choked with
suppressed agony.
"I see," said Julius, gravely and pitifully, "it would take a man of
more age and weight than poor Frank to deal with the habits of a
lifetime. The risk is great."
"And when I saw it," added Eleonora, "I felt I must never, never
bring him into it. And how could I tell him? Your mother does not
know, or she could not wish it!"
"It is plain that in the present state of things you ought not to
marry, and so far you are judging nobly," said Julius; "but next
comes the question--how far it is well to make that day at the races
the pretext?"
"Don't call it a pretext," said Lenore, quickly. "I meant what I
said a year ago, with all my soul. Perhaps it was hasty, when poor
Camilla drove me into saying I did not mean only an habitual
gambler, but one who had ever betted. And now, well as I know how
cruelly she used that presumptuous vow of mine, and how she repented
of it at last, still I feel that to fly in its face might be so
wrong, that I should have no right to expect not to drag Frank
down.
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