His eyes lingered on her in the dim light , taking in every detail of her sweet womanly refinement and loveliness , and with difficulty he choked back a groan . Again he asked himself what madness had come over him , and again for an answer rose up the vision of Magdalen Crawford 's face as he had seen it that day , crimsoning beneath his gaze . It was late when he left . Marian watched him out of sight , standing under the acacias . She shivered as with a sudden chill . `` I feel as I think Vashti must have felt , '' she murmured aloud , `` when , discrowned and unqueened , she crept out of the gates of Shushan to hide her broken heart . I wonder if Esther has already usurped my sceptre . Has that girl at the Cove , with her pale , priestess-like face and mysterious eyes , stolen his heart from me ? Perhaps not , for it may never have been mine . I know that Esterbrook Elliott will be true to the letter of his vows to me , no matter what it may cost him . But I want no pallid shadow of the love that belongs to another . The hour of abdication is at hand , I fear . And what will be left for throneless Vashti then ? '' Esterbrook Elliott , walking home through the mocking calm of the night , fought a hard battle with himself . He was face to face with the truth at last -- the bitter knowledge that he had never loved Marian Lesley , save with a fond , brotherly affection , and that he did love Magdalen Crawford with a passion that threatened to sweep before it every vestige of his honour and loyalty . He had seen her but three times -- and his throbbing heart lay in the hollow of her cold white hand . He shut his eyes and groaned . What madness . What unutterable folly ! He was not free -- he was bound to another by every cord of honour and self-respect .
And , even were he free , Magdalen Crawford would be no fit wife XXXXX him -- in the eyes of the world , at least .
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