He did return to her, however, or at least he seemed to return to
her, actuated, perhaps, by that inexplicable sentiment that impels us
sometimes to do that which is most distasteful to us, and by a feeling
of discouragement and despair, knowing that Marie-Anne was now lost to
him forever.
He also said to himself that a pledge had been interchanged between the
duke and the Marquis de Courtornieu; that he, too, had given his word,
and that Mlle. Blanche was his betrothed.
Was it worth while to break this engagement? Would he not be compelled
to marry some day? Why not fulfil the pledge that had been made? He was
as willing to marry Mlle. de Courtornieu as anyone else, since he was
sure that the only woman whom he had ever truly loved--the only woman
whom he ever could love--was never to be his.
Master of himself when near her, and sure that he would ever remain the
same, it was easy to play the part of lover with that perfection and
that charm which--sad as it is to say it--the real passion seldom
or never attains. He was assisted by his self-love, and also by that
instinct of duplicity which leads a man to contradict his thoughts by
his acts.
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