As these thoughts
crowded upon him he grew grave and frowned. Constance, feeling her
disappointment most keenly, saw the tangle upon the Duke's brow. It
arrested the quick pulsing of her own discontent and turned her mind
into a channel of evil even more treacherous than any ideas that
had assailed her heretofore. It meant, in case of defeat, her own
downfall. She would barter, if need be, her own soul away. Of such
character were her ladyship's ambitions. She was impatient for the
final bout that was to settle all things.
Even the haughty Duke of Buckingham was moved by Mistress Penwick's
youth, beauty and innocence. And yet he thought 'twas pitiful she
should go unclaimed by Court. Her secret must be had at whatever cost,
and seeing the maid was neither dismayed nor at loss by being thrown
with the king's son and the famous Buckingham, 'twas certain nothing
less than extreme measures would draw from her her secret. Whether
these measures were foul or fair was not of much consequence to him.
If the maid was to favour any, he would withdraw, giving place to
Monmouth, providing of course 'twas in his power to do so.
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