CLARIDGE’S,

_Monday morning_.

I WONDER how I lived before I met Robert. I wonder what use were the

days. Oh! and I wonder, I wonder if the Duke continues to be obdurate

about me if I shall ever have the strength of mind to part from him so

as not to spoil his future.

Such a short time ago--not yet four weeks--since I was still at

Branches, and wondering what made the clock go round--the great big

clock of life.

Oh, now I know! It is being in love--frightfully in love like we are.

I must try to keep my head though, and remember all the remarks of

Lady Ver about things and men. Fighters all of them, and they must

never feel quite sure. It will be dreadfully difficult to tease Robert,

because he is so direct and simple; but I must try I suppose. Perhaps

being so very pretty as I am, and having all the male creatures looking

at me with interest will do, and be enough to keep him worried, and I

won’t have to be tiresome myself. I hope so, because I really do love

him so extremely, I would like to let myself go and be as sweet as I

want to.

I am doing all the things I thought perfectly silly to hear of before.

I kissed his letter, and slept with it on the pillow beside me, and

this morning woke at six and turned on the electric light to read it

again! The part where the “Darling” comes is quite blurry I see in

daylight; that is where I kissed most I know!

I seem to be numb to everything else. Whether Lady Ver is angry or not

does not bother me. I did play fair. She could not expect me to go on

pretending when Robert had said straight out he loved me. But I am sure

she will be angry, though, and probably rather spiteful about it.

I will write her the simple truth in a day or two, when we see how

things go. She will guess by Robert not going to Sedgwick.

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