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to give as much pleasure as he received. Before his tired mind could find suitable phrases, Marie spoke again. |
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"I wished to please you. Did I not do so?" |
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The anxiety in her voice wrung Walter's heart. How could he say she had nearly driven him from her bed despite the need that had pushed him into it in the first place? "You are all that is lovely and gracious, and kindness itself," he murmured, stroking her arm. "It is not in my power to say more. You know that." |
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"Here in private you may say anything," she urged. |
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Walter was in a quandary. It seemed crude to him to remind Marie again and in more specific words of his betrothal at this moment. He had intended that oblique mention of it as a delicate hint that Marie should not expect a repetition of this meeting. However, she had not taken the hint. Moreover, Walter was determined not to offer further assurances that he desired an infinite continuation of their relationship. It was no longer true. If it were in his power, Walter never intended to expose himself to a second such experience. |
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He was altogether greatly puzzled by Marie's actions. Until she had brought him into her chamber, he could have sworn that she had no deep feeling for him. Then it occurred to him that this might be Marie's first experience with an extramarital relationship. If that were true, it was no wonder that she was pressing him so frantically to reaffirm his devotion or, for that matter, that she had been impossible to satisfy. The poor woman must be consumed with guilt and with the fear that she had soiled herself and was now worthless. |
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Walter turned and tenderly took her into the crook of his arm. "Marie, if there is any fault in what we have done, that fault is mine. It is a man's curse that he desires beauty when he sees it. I should not have yielded to that desire, my situation being what it is. I have taken base advantage of the sweetness of your nature and, I fear, of your innocence. My dear, no great harm is done. You have betrayed no oaths, hurt no living person, and you have given me a gift I will remember always." |
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If Marie had not been totally fixed on her end purpose, she would have slapped Walter's face. Her hopes had been sky-high when he came with her so eagerly and hinted so clearly that she was what he really wanted. Nonetheless, no matter |
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