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DARK HESTER

other evening, when I came back from London, and saw then what I had never realized before—pur-blind fool that I have been—how deeply Clive cared for her; how he depended on her—or could depend on her again. And I know, though the less said about it the better, that if they could come together it would be far the happiest thing for everyone concerned. At the same time I would like you to know that I should never go back to Godfrey—even if he wanted me to, which he doesn’t—though he and I might agree to fix up appearances so that Clive and Celia can marry. Clive is opposed to my decision, and I couldn’t leave him in the state he is in unless you were here; so this is really to ask you to come over and see after him as soon as I am gone. The sooner I go the better. I merely tear him to pieces by staying on, now that the decision is really taken. He thinks me incredibly cruel and hard; but I believe you will understand. You won’t forget what I said to you about him yesterday. Wives can get to feel about their husbands what mothers feel, after a time, though at the first it would have seemed impossible;—I mean being really able to think of their happiness apart from one’s own. I have sent Robin up to London for the day with Nurse so that he shall be well out of the way. He will be very

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