I would not marry
an adventurer under any circumstances. I could cure myself of a
misdirected passion, but not of a bad husband."
Lucian said nothing; he walked on with long, irregular steps,
lowering at the pavement as if it were a difficult problem, and
occasionally thrusting at it with his stick. At last he looked up,
and said,
"Would you mind prolonging your walk a little by going round Bedford
Square with me? I have something particular to say."
She turned and complied without a word; and they had traversed one
side of the square before he spoke again, in these terms:
"On second thoughts, Lydia, this is neither the proper time nor
place for an important communication. Excuse me for having taken you
out of your way for nothing."
"I do not like this, Lucian. Important communications--in this
case--corrupt good manners. If your intended speech is a sensible
one, the present is as good a time, and Bedford Square as good a
place, as you are likely to find for it. If it is otherwise, confess
that you have decided to leave it unsaid. But do not postpone it.
Reticence is always an error--even on the treasury bench. It is
doubly erroneous in dealing with me; for I have a constitutional
antipathy to it.
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