That there was a
mystery was a fact very gratifying to the world at large; and
perhaps, upon the whole, the more gratifying in that nothing had
occurred to throw a gleam of light upon the matter since the fact
of the intimacy had become generally known. Mr. Maule was aware,
however, that there could be no success for him as long as the Duke
lived. Whatever might be the nature of the alliance, it was too
strong to admit of any other while it lasted. But the Duke was a very
old,--or, at least, a very infirm man. And now the Duke was dying.
Of course it was only a chance. Mr. Maule knew the world too well to
lay out any great portion of his hopes on a prospect so doubtful.
But it was worth a struggle, and he would so struggle that he might
enjoy success, should success come, without laying himself open
to the pangs of disappointment. Mr. Maule hated to be unhappy or
uncomfortable, and therefore never allowed any aspiration to proceed
to such length as to be inconvenient to his feelings should it not be
gratified.
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