As for
looking about for a girl whom he could honestly love, and who should have
a fortune of her own, as well as beauty, birth, and all the other things--
that was out of his reach. If he talked to himself of love, if he were
ever to acknowledge to himself that love was to have sway over him, then
must Lucy Morris be the mistress of his heart. He had come to know enough
about himself to be aware of that; but he knew also that he had said
nothing binding him to walk in that path. It was quite open to him to
indulge a discreet ambition without dishonour. Therefore he also had come
to call upon the beautiful widow. The courtship with her he knew need not
be long. He could ask her to marry him to-morrow--as for that matter,
to-day--without a feeling of hesitation. She might accept him, or might
reject him; but, as he said to himself, in neither case would any harm be
done.
An idea of the same kind flitted across Lizzie's mind as she sat and
talked to the two gentlemen. She knew that her cousin Frank was poor, but
she thought that she could fall in love with him. He was not exactly a
Corsair, but he was a man who had certain Corsair propensities.
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