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           Ithadneveroccurredtoherbeforetowonderifhemightregardherasanuisance,apartofhispasthewouldliketoseeburiedindecentobscurityonsomeplacelikeDrogheda;butmaybehedid.Inwhichcase,whyhadhere-enteredherlifeninemonthsago?Becausehefeltsorryforher?Becausehefeltheowedhersomekindofdebt?Becausehefeltsheneededsomesortofpushtowardhermother,forDane’ssake?HehadbeenveryfondofDane,andwhoknewwhattheyhadtalkedaboutduringthoselongvisitstoRomewhenshehadn’tbeenpresent?MaybeDanehadaskedhimtokeepaneyeonher,andhewasdoingjustthat.Waitedadecentintervaltomakesureshewouldn’tshowhimthedoor,thenmarchedbackintoherlifetofulfillsomepromisemadetoDane.Yes,thatwasverylikelytheanswer.Certainlyhewasnolongerinlovewithher.Whateverattractionshehadoncepossessedforhimmusthavediedlongsince;afterall,shehadtreatedhimabominably.Shehadonlyherselftoblame.

           Upontheheelsofwhichthoughtsheweptmiserably,succeededingettingenoughholduponherselftotellherselfnottobesostupid,twistedaboutandthumpedherpillowinafruitlessquestaftersleep,thenlaydefeatedtryingtoreadascript.Afterafewpagesthewordsbegantraitorouslytoblurandswimtogether,andtryasshewouldtouseheroldtrickofbulldozingdespairintosomebackcornerofhermind,itendedinoverwhelmingher.