McPherson he had invited him to
spend a week at Penrhyn Park, and the young man had accepted, and would
arrive the 10th. There was a gleam of triumph in Daisy's eyes as they
met her husband's. The presence of Lord Hardy meant money, for she had
only to lament her poverty and talk of burying herself at Stoneleigh,
and instantly the generous Irishman would insist upon relieving her
present needs.
"It is only a loan. You can pay me some time when your ship comes in,
and really I have more than I know what to do with."
This was always Lord Hardy's argument, to which Daisy yielded, and went
on piling up the debt which she insisted would be paid in some way, and
her thoughts always turned to the old aunt in America, through whom
relief must some day come. But Archie knew better, and their
indebtedness to Lord Hardy filled him with shame, just as Daisy's
intimacy with the young man filled him with disgust, though he had
perfect faith in the Irishman, whose worst fault was an open and hearty
admiration for a married woman; and, to a certain extent, he had faith
in Daisy, who, much as she might compromise her good name by flirtation,
would never break her marriage vow in the letter, even if she did in
spirit.
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