And once more--involuntarily, disagreeably--he
thought of Alicia Drake, and of the passages between them in the
preceding summer.
Alicia was still at Tallyn, and her presence was, in truth, a constant
embarrassment to him. Lady Lucy, on the contrary, had a strong sense of
family duty toward her young cousin, and liked to have her for long
visits at Tallyn or in London. Marsham believed his mother knew nothing
of the old flirtation between them. Alicia, indeed, rarely showed any
special interest in him now. He admitted her general discretion. Yet
occasionally she would put in a claim, a light word, now mocking, now
caressing, which betrayed the old intimacy, and Marsham would wince
under it. It was like a creeping touch in the dark. He had known what it
was to feel both compunction and a kind of fear with regard to Alicia.
But, normally, he told himself that both feelings were ridiculous. He
had done nothing to compromise either himself or her. He had certainly
flirted with Alicia; but he could not honestly feel that the chief part
in the matter had been his.
These thoughts passed in a flash. The clock struck, and regretfully he
got up to take his leave.
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